Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory illness - two rural counties, West Virginia, 2011

Area of Science:

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Public Health Surveillance
• Microbiology

Background:

• An increase in pneumonia cases among school-aged children in West Virginia was reported.
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae was suspected as the causative agent based on initial clinical and laboratory findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To confirm Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the cause of the pneumonia outbreak.
• To establish active case surveillance and implement control measures.
• To provide recommendations for treatment and containment, including addressing macrolide resistance.

Main Methods:

• An outbreak investigation was conducted by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the CDC.
• Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to test nasopharyngeal swabs.
• Active case surveillance and epidemiological analysis were employed to identify cases and track the outbreak.

Main Results:

• The investigation confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the cause of the outbreak, identifying 125 cases.
• Two cases involved macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolates.
• Public health interventions, including respiratory hygiene promotion and hand sanitizer distribution, successfully contained the outbreak.

Conclusions:

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae caused a significant outbreak in West Virginia school children.
• The presence of macrolide-resistant strains necessitates careful treatment considerations.
• Effective public health interventions can control outbreaks even with resistant pathogens, without relying on antibiotic prophylaxis.