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Epidemics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Denmark from 1958 to 1974
Abstract:
The study is a retrospective and prospective serological investigation of the incidence of Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae infection in Denmark during a 17-year period. By least square multiple regression analysis it was shown that four major outbreaks or epidemics had occurred which culminated at regular intervals of four and a half years. The study was based on cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera tested for antibodies to M. pneumoniae by an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test, an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test or a complement fixation (CF) test. By the criteria chosen for a positive test, the CF test was found to detect more cases than the IF or IHA tests. A shift during the study from the latter two tests to the CF test influenced the incidence, but not the periodicity of epidemics. The consequence of including only CA positive sera in the study was investigated.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Denmark show regular epidemic cycles every 4.5 years. Testing methods impacted incidence but not the epidemic timing, with complement fixation being more sensitive.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a significant cause of respiratory infections.
- Understanding the epidemiological patterns of M. pneumoniae is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies have indicated seasonal variations, but long-term epidemic periodicity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and epidemic patterns of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Denmark over a 17-year period.
- To analyze the periodicity of M. pneumoniae outbreaks.
- To evaluate the impact of different serological testing methods and cold agglutinin positivity on incidence and epidemic detection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective and prospective serological investigation over 17 years.
- Analysis of cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera for antibodies to M. pneumoniae.
- Utilized indirect immunofluorescence (IF), indirect haemagglutination (IHA), and complement fixation (CF) tests.
- Employed least squares multiple regression analysis to identify epidemic intervals.
Main Results:
- Identified four major Mycoplasma pneumoniae epidemics occurring at regular intervals of 4.5 years.
- The complement fixation (CF) test detected more positive cases compared to IF and IHA tests.
- A shift in testing methodology towards CF influenced reported incidence but not epidemic periodicity.
- The impact of including only CA positive sera was assessed.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae exhibits a distinct epidemic periodicity in Denmark, with outbreaks occurring approximately every 4.5 years.
- The choice of serological test, particularly the sensitivity of the CF test, affects the observed incidence of M. pneumoniae infections.
- Epidemic timing appears robust despite changes in diagnostic methods, highlighting a consistent underlying epidemiological pattern.