Mycoplasma pneumoniae bakterioak eragindako infekzioen gorakada Goierri eta Urola Garaian

Abstract

ntroduction and objectives. It is believed that epidemics of infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae occur in cycles of 3-7 years. In recent months, WHO has reported an increase in infections worldwide attributed to this bacterium. Due to the perception of an increase in our environment, the objective of this research is to analyze the epidemiology of infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and their management in Goierri-Urola Garaia between 2023 and 2024.

Materials and methods. Descriptive, retrospective study, based on the review of clinical records of children and adolescents (<14 years) who tested positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae serology throughout February 2023 to February 2024 in Goierri-Urola Garaia. Demographic, clinical, analytical and therapeutic variables were examined.

Results. During the study period, we recorded 36 cases, with a progressive increase in the last months. The 62% were male with a median age of 7.89 years. The most common symptoms were fever (88.9%) and cough (86.11%), with 44.4% experiencing symptoms for more than a week.  One third of the children and adolescents had extrapulmonary clinical manifestations, and rash was the most common (11.1%). However, other symptoms also appeared (asthenia, nephrotic proteinuria, cold urticaria...). Regarding additional tests, pulmonary ultrasound was performed on 69.4% of children, and chest X-ray on 75%, with atypical pattern found in 22%. 91.7% received antibiotic treatment and one third received bronchodilator therapy. 52.7% of children were hospitalized, and 63.2% of them required respiratory support with oxygen therapy. There were no admissions to the ICU.

Conclusions. The number of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections has significantly increased in our environment in the last year, suggesting that we may be within the described epidemiological cycle in the literature. It is important to consider this pathogen if respiratory infections are prolonged or extrapulmonary clinical manifestations appear.