Clinical Manifestations, Macrolide Resistance, and Treatment Utilization Trends of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children and Adolescents in South Korea
A resurgence of <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> (MP)-the leading cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, particularly in children-occurred following the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, macrolide resistance patterns, and therapeutic approaches related to the MP pneumonia epidemic. Children and adolescents diagnosed with MP pneumonia in September-December 2023 were screened. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 13 major hospitals using concordant microbiological criteria, including either a positive PCR result or four-fold increase in serological markers. Demographic characteristics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Of the 474 screened patients, 374 (median age: 7.7 [IQR, 5.4-9.6] years; hospitalization rate: 88.6%) met the microbiological confirmation criteria. Most patients experienced fever (98.9%), and lobular/lobar consolidation (59.1%) was the dominant radiological finding. The macrolide resistance rate remained high at 87.0%; corticosteroids were widely used (55.6%) alongside macrolides, despite resistance. Patients with consolidation had prolonged fever (median 8 vs. 7 days, <i>p</i> = 0.020) and higher hospitalization rates (92.3% vs. 83.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.008). Macrolide resistance did not significantly influence radiological outcomes. This study highlights the ongoing challenge of macrolide resistance in MP pneumonia and need for tailored therapeutic approaches. Despite high resistance, macrolides remain commonly prescribed, often concurrently with corticosteroids.
Authors
- Su Eun Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5860-821X)
- Joon Kee Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8191-0812)
- Areum Shin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3341-0447)
- Jae Hong Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3284-9407)
- Eun Young Cho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2286-4593)
- Ki Wook Yun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0798-6779)
- Yae-Jean Kim
- Dayun Kang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0314-9455)
- Taek-Jin Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8912-6982)
- Ye Ji Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1583-1408)
- Young June Choe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2733-0715)
- Hyun Mi Kang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0513-8407)
- Dong Hyun Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9883-0229)
- Byung Ok Kwak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5527-0794)
- Eun Hwa Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5857-0749)
- Kyo Jin Jo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4947-3672)
- Doo Ri Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4043)
- Byung Wook Eun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3147-9061)
- Kyung‐Min Kim
- Hyunju Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0107-0724)
- Youngmin Cho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0987-4180)
Institutions
- Seoul National University (KR)
- Inha University (KR)
- Eulji University (KR)
- Korea University Medical Center (KR)
- Samsung Medical Center (KR)
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (KR)
- Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital (KR)
- Seoul National University Children's Hospital (KR)
- CHA University Bundang Medical Center (KR)
- Chungnam National University Hospital (KR)
- CHA University (KR)
- Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (KR)
- Chungbuk National University Hospital (KR)
- Eulji Medical Center (KR)
- Jeju National University (KR)
- Catholic University of Korea (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microorganisms
- Published
- 2024-08-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091806
- Citations
- 17
- Primary Topic
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.57
Funders
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency