Increased prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae serological positivity in Chilean young children
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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
J Carcey1, P Garcia2, O Padilla3
1Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Background:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of respiratory infections in school children and adolescents. Epidemiological suspicion is important, since there are no specific symptoms or signs to help in diagnosing infection caused by this agent.
Objective:
To determine the variation in prevalence over the last 10 years of M. pneumoniae IgM seropositivity according to age, particularly in pre-schoolers.
Method:
The results of M. pneumoniae IgM serological testing between January 2004 and December 2013 were analysed. Variables such as gender and month and year of sample processing were studied according to age groups (<5, 5-18, 19-50, 51-70 and >70 years of age).
Results:
Of a total of 20,020 serological samples, 31.9% proved positive for M. pneumoniae. All age groups showed increases in percentage seropositivity over the last 10 years, although the most significant increase corresponded to the 5-18 years group (from 15.8% to 54%), followed by children <5 years of age (from 8.6% to 30%). Seropositivity was significantly higher in women in all age groups, except in those over 50 years of age.
Conclusion:
Children under five years of age were the group with the second highest increase in seropositivity.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM seropositivity increased significantly in children and adolescents over a decade. School-aged children (5-18 years) saw the largest rise, with preschool-aged children (<5 years) showing the second-highest increase in infection rates.
Area of Science:
- * Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- * Respiratory Illness Epidemiology
- * Microbiology and Immunology
Background:
- * Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory infections in children and adolescents.
- * Diagnosis is challenging due to a lack of specific symptoms.
- * Understanding prevalence trends is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To analyze the 10-year trend of Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM seropositivity.
- * To investigate age-specific prevalence variations, with a focus on preschool children.
- * To identify demographic factors influencing seropositivity.
Main Methods:
- * Retrospective analysis of 20,020 Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM serological tests from 2004-2013.
- * Data stratified by age groups: <5, 5-18, 19-50, 51-70, and >70 years.
- * Evaluation of gender, month, and year of sample collection.
Main Results:
- * Overall Mycoplasma pneumoniae seropositivity was 31.9%.
- * Significant increases in seropositivity observed across all age groups over the decade.
- * The 5-18 years group showed the highest increase (15.8% to 54%), followed by the <5 years group (8.6% to 30%).
- * Women exhibited higher seropositivity, except in those over 50.
Conclusions:
- * Mycoplasma pneumoniae seropositivity has markedly increased in pediatric populations over the last decade.
- * Preschool-aged children (<5 years) experienced the second-highest rise in seropositivity.
- * The findings highlight a growing burden of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in younger age groups.
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