Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
[A multicenter study on respiratory pathogen detection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children]
1Department of Pulmonology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China.
Abstract:
Objective: To analyze the status of respiratory pathogen detection and the clinical features in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Methods: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted to collect clinical data, including medical history, laboratory examinations and multiplex PCR tests of children diagnosed with MPP from 4 hospitals in China between November 15th and December 20th, 2023. The multiplex PCR results and clinical characteristics of MPP children in different regions were analyzed. The children were divided into severe and mild groups according to the severity of the disease. Patients in the severe group were further divided into Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) alone and Multi-pathogen co-detection groups based on whether other pathogens were detected besides MP, to analyze the influence of respiratory pathogen co-detection rate on the severity of the disease. Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Chi-square test were used to compare data between independent groups. Results: A total of 298 children, 136 males and 162 females, were enrolled in this study, including 204 children in the severe group with an onset age of 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) years, and 94 children in the mild group with an onset age of 6.5 (4.0, 7.8) years. The level of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher (10.0 (5.0, 18.0) vs. 5.0 (5.0, 7.5) mg/L, 0.6 (0.4, 1.1) vs. 0.5 (0.3, 0.6) mg/L, 337 (286, 431) vs. 314 (271, 393) U/L, Z=2.02, 2.50, 3.05, all P<0.05), and the length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the severe group compared with those in mild group (6.0 (6.0, 7.0) vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) d, Z=4.37, P<0.05). The time from onset to admission in severe MPP children was significantly shorter than that in mild MPP children (6.0 (5.0, 9.5) vs. 9.0 (7.0, 13.0) d, Z=2.23, P=0.026). All patients completed the multiplex PCR test, with 142 cases (47.7%) MPP children detected with 21 pathogens including adenovirus 25 cases (8.4%), human coronavirus 23 cases (7.7%), rhinovirus 21 cases (7.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 21 cases (7.0%), influenza A virus 18 cases (6.0%). The pathogens with the highest detection rates in Tianjin, Shanghai, Wenzhou and Chengdu were Staphylococcus aureus at 10.7% (8/75), adenovirus at 13.0% (10/77), adenovirus at 15.3% (9/59), and both rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae at 11.5% (10/87) each. The multi-pathogen co-detection rate in severe MPP children was significantly higher than that in mild MPP group (52.9% (108/204) vs. 36.2% (34/94), χ²=10.62,P=0.005). Among severe MPP children, there are 89 cases in the multi-pathogen co-detection group and 73 cases in the simple MPP group. The levels of LDH, D-dimer and neutrophil counts in the multi-pathogen co-detection group were significantly higher than those in the simple MPP group (348 (284, 422) vs. 307 (270, 358) U/L, 0.8 (0.5, 1.5) vs. 0.6 (0.4, 1.0) mg/L, 4.99 (3.66, 6.89)×109 vs. 4.06 (2.91, 5.65)×109/L, Z=5.17, 4.99, 6.11, all P<0.05). Conclusions: The co-detection rate of respiratory pathogens, LDH and D-dimer in children with severe MPP were higher than those with mild MPP. Among severe MPP children the stress response of children in co-detection group was more serious than that of children with simple MPP.
Insights
Children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) show higher rates of co-detected respiratory pathogens and elevated biomarkers like LDH and D-dimer. Co-infection in severe MPP cases indicates a more significant stress response compared to single pathogen infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common respiratory infection in children.
- Understanding the role of co-infections and their impact on disease severity is crucial for effective management.
- Multiplex PCR offers a comprehensive approach to detecting various respiratory pathogens simultaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the detection status of respiratory pathogens in children diagnosed with MPP.
- To investigate the clinical features and severity of MPP in relation to pathogen co-detection.
- To assess the influence of co-infections on disease severity and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter study involving 298 children diagnosed with MPP.
- Clinical data, medical history, and laboratory examinations were collected.
- Multiplex PCR was used for respiratory pathogen detection; children were categorized into severe and mild groups, with severe cases further divided based on co-detection.
Main Results:
- A total of 142 children (47.7%) had co-detections of 21 different pathogens.
- Severe MPP cases exhibited significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and LDH, along with longer hospitalizations compared to mild cases.
- The multi-pathogen co-detection rate was significantly higher in severe MPP children (52.9%) than in mild cases (36.2%), with elevated LDH, D-dimer, and neutrophil counts in co-infected severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Co-detection of respiratory pathogens, along with elevated LDH and D-dimer levels, are more prevalent in children with severe MPP.
- Severe MPP patients with co-infections demonstrate a more pronounced stress response compared to those with single MPP infections.
- Multiplex PCR is valuable for identifying co-pathogens, aiding in the assessment of disease severity and management strategies for pediatric MPP.
