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Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Retrospective review analysis of COVID-19 patients co-infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Abhinav Choubey1, Diaeddin Sagar2, Philippa Cawley1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, UK.
Insights
Coinfection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and COVID-19 was identified in eight patients, presenting common respiratory symptoms and requiring intensive care. This highlights the need for further research into bacterial coinfections in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to global morbidity and mortality.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a known cause of atypical pneumonia and can co-infect patients with viral pneumonias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe cases of co-infection between SARS-CoV-2 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- To analyze the clinical features, investigations, and outcomes of patients with this dual infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 580 inpatients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection over a 3-month period during the first COVID-19 peak in the UK.
- Identification of patients with co-infection of COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Main Results:
- Eight patients (4 males, 4 females, Caucasian, aged 44-89) with COVID-19 and M. pneumoniae co-infection were identified.
- Common symptoms included dyspnea, cough, and pyrexia. Comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes were noted.
- Abnormal C-reactive protein, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, bilateral consolidation, and ground-glass opacities were prevalent. Two patients required ICU admission, and three patients died.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed the presence of M. pneumoniae co-infection in COVID-19 patients.
- Highlighted the clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with this co-infection.
- Emphasized the need for further research on procalcitonin's role and the impact of co-infection on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
Introduction:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an extremely infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak of this virus has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. We have seen an unprecedented spread of this virus, leading to extreme pressure on health-care services. Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical bacterial pneumonia and is known to co-infect patients with viral pneumonias.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, patients' data of 580 inpatients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were reviewed retrospectively over a 3-month period which included the the first peak of COVID-19 infections in the UK.
Results:
Eight patients with COVID-19 and M. pneumoniae coinfection were identified - four males and four females. All patients were Caucasian, with an age range of 44-89 years. 37.5% of patients were hypertensive, whereas 25% had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dyspnea, cough, and pyrexia were found to be very common in these patients. Majority of the patients had abnormal C-reactive protein, lymphopenia, neutrophilia along with bilateral consolidation, and ground-glass opacities. Two patients required admission to intensive care, both of whom unfortunately died along with one patient receiving ward based care.
Conclusion:
Our confirmed the presence of co-infection with M. pneumoniae and describes the clinical features, investigation results, clinical course, and outcomes for these patients. Further research is needed to review the role of procalcitonin in excluding bacterial co-infection and to assess the impact of co-infection of patients with COVID-19 on morbidity and mortality.
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