Table 1.

Demographic, Epidemiological, and Clinical Characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae–Positive Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Versus M. pneumoniae–Negative CAP in Children

CharacteristicsMp-Positive CAPa (n = 29)Mp-Negative CAPa (n = 34)OR (95% CI)P Value
Demographic characteristics
 Age, yb, median (IQR)8.6 (6.3–11.0)4.7 (3.9–6.2)< .01
 Sex, male16 (55)23 (68)0.6 (.2–1.9).44
 Season at enrollment
  Spring (March–May)5 (17)6 (18)1.0 (.2–4.4)1.00
  Summer (June–August)9 (31)4 (12)3.3 (.8–16.8).07
  Autumn (September–November)9 (31)8 (23)1.5 (.4–5.2).58
  Winter (December–February)6 (21)16 (47)0.3 (.1–1.0).04
 Daycare or preschool attendance29 (100)34 (100)NA1.00
 Immunizationsc21/23 (91)31/32 (97)0.3 (.0–7.0).57
 Underlying diseased1 (3)9 (26)0.1 (.0–.8).02
  Asthma or history of wheezing11
  Cardiovascular00
  Gastrointestinal02
  Neurological02
  Other04
 Family with RTI17 (59)10 (29)3.3 (1.1–11.0).02
  Mothers144
  Fathers61
  Siblings177
 Family members with Mp detection in URT17/47 (36)2/37 (5)9.7 (2.0–93.2)< .01
  Mothers7/20 (35)2/26 (8)6.2 (1.0–69.7).03
  Fathers1/13 (8)0/10 (0)NA1.00
  Siblings9/14 (64)0/1 (0)NA.40
  Symptomatic (RTI)10/17 (59)1/2 (50)1.4 (.0–123.1)1.00
  Asymptomatic (carrier)7/17 (41)e1/2 (50)e0.7 (.0–62.7)1.00
 Prior antibiotic treatment13 (45)5 (15)4.6 (1.3–19.6).01
Clinical presentation
 Prodrome
  RTI symptoms, d, median (IQR)9.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.0–7.0)< .01
  Fever, d, median (IQR)8.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.3–6.0)< .01
  Fever >2 df26 (90)28 (82)1.8 (.3–12.5).49
 Fever, °C, at presentation, median (IQR)39.1 (39.0–39.7)39.2 (39.0–39.5).89
 RTI symptoms and signs at presentationg
  Runny nose7 (24)14 (41)0.5 (.1–1.5).19
  Sore throat4 (14)4 (12)1.2 (.2–7.1)1.00
  Cough27 (93)30 (88)1.8 (.2–21.2).68
  Chest pain3 (10)7 (21)0.5 (.1–2.2).32
  Wheezing0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
  Abnormal auscultatory findings19 (66)24 (71)0.8 (.2–2.6).79
  Oxygen saturation < 93%5 (17)8 (24)0.7 (.2–2.8).76
Radiographic findings
 Pulmonary infiltrate in chest radiographh28/28 (100)31/32 (97)NA1.00
 Consolidation18 (64)25 (78)0.5 (.1–1.8).26
  Single lobar infiltrate1316
  Multilobar infiltrates59
  Multilobar infiltrates (unilateral)13
  Multilobar infiltrates (bilateral)46
 Interstitial10 (36)6 (19)2.4 (.6–9.5).16
  Reticular106
  Nodular00
 Pleural effusion4 (14)7 (22)0.6 (.1–2.7).52
Severity of illness
 Hospitalization10 (34)19 (56)0.4 (.1–1.3).13
  LOS, d, median (IQR)4.5 (3.3–7.0)2.5 (2.0–5.8).31
  ICU admission0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
 Extrapulmonary manifestation9 (31)i0 (0)NA< .01
  Dermatological8
  Neurological1
Treatment
 Antibiotics after enrollment27 (93)j31 (91)j1.3 (.1–16.7)1.00
  Amoxicillin ± clavulanic acid13 (45)29 (85)0.1 (.0–.5)< .01
  Clarithromycin10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Doxycycline10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Other1 (3)2 (6)0.6 (.0–11.6)1.00
Outcome
 Full recovery26 (90)k34 (100)NA.09
  Respiratory sequelae2
  Dermatological sequelae1
CharacteristicsMp-Positive CAPa (n = 29)Mp-Negative CAPa (n = 34)OR (95% CI)P Value
Demographic characteristics
 Age, yb, median (IQR)8.6 (6.3–11.0)4.7 (3.9–6.2)< .01
 Sex, male16 (55)23 (68)0.6 (.2–1.9).44
 Season at enrollment
  Spring (March–May)5 (17)6 (18)1.0 (.2–4.4)1.00
  Summer (June–August)9 (31)4 (12)3.3 (.8–16.8).07
  Autumn (September–November)9 (31)8 (23)1.5 (.4–5.2).58
  Winter (December–February)6 (21)16 (47)0.3 (.1–1.0).04
 Daycare or preschool attendance29 (100)34 (100)NA1.00
 Immunizationsc21/23 (91)31/32 (97)0.3 (.0–7.0).57
 Underlying diseased1 (3)9 (26)0.1 (.0–.8).02
  Asthma or history of wheezing11
  Cardiovascular00
  Gastrointestinal02
  Neurological02
  Other04
 Family with RTI17 (59)10 (29)3.3 (1.1–11.0).02
  Mothers144
  Fathers61
  Siblings177
 Family members with Mp detection in URT17/47 (36)2/37 (5)9.7 (2.0–93.2)< .01
  Mothers7/20 (35)2/26 (8)6.2 (1.0–69.7).03
  Fathers1/13 (8)0/10 (0)NA1.00
  Siblings9/14 (64)0/1 (0)NA.40
  Symptomatic (RTI)10/17 (59)1/2 (50)1.4 (.0–123.1)1.00
  Asymptomatic (carrier)7/17 (41)e1/2 (50)e0.7 (.0–62.7)1.00
 Prior antibiotic treatment13 (45)5 (15)4.6 (1.3–19.6).01
Clinical presentation
 Prodrome
  RTI symptoms, d, median (IQR)9.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.0–7.0)< .01
  Fever, d, median (IQR)8.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.3–6.0)< .01
  Fever >2 df26 (90)28 (82)1.8 (.3–12.5).49
 Fever, °C, at presentation, median (IQR)39.1 (39.0–39.7)39.2 (39.0–39.5).89
 RTI symptoms and signs at presentationg
  Runny nose7 (24)14 (41)0.5 (.1–1.5).19
  Sore throat4 (14)4 (12)1.2 (.2–7.1)1.00
  Cough27 (93)30 (88)1.8 (.2–21.2).68
  Chest pain3 (10)7 (21)0.5 (.1–2.2).32
  Wheezing0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
  Abnormal auscultatory findings19 (66)24 (71)0.8 (.2–2.6).79
  Oxygen saturation < 93%5 (17)8 (24)0.7 (.2–2.8).76
Radiographic findings
 Pulmonary infiltrate in chest radiographh28/28 (100)31/32 (97)NA1.00
 Consolidation18 (64)25 (78)0.5 (.1–1.8).26
  Single lobar infiltrate1316
  Multilobar infiltrates59
  Multilobar infiltrates (unilateral)13
  Multilobar infiltrates (bilateral)46
 Interstitial10 (36)6 (19)2.4 (.6–9.5).16
  Reticular106
  Nodular00
 Pleural effusion4 (14)7 (22)0.6 (.1–2.7).52
Severity of illness
 Hospitalization10 (34)19 (56)0.4 (.1–1.3).13
  LOS, d, median (IQR)4.5 (3.3–7.0)2.5 (2.0–5.8).31
  ICU admission0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
 Extrapulmonary manifestation9 (31)i0 (0)NA< .01
  Dermatological8
  Neurological1
Treatment
 Antibiotics after enrollment27 (93)j31 (91)j1.3 (.1–16.7)1.00
  Amoxicillin ± clavulanic acid13 (45)29 (85)0.1 (.0–.5)< .01
  Clarithromycin10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Doxycycline10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Other1 (3)2 (6)0.6 (.0–11.6)1.00
Outcome
 Full recovery26 (90)k34 (100)NA.09
  Respiratory sequelae2
  Dermatological sequelae1

Data are presented as no. or no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. Differences between groups were determined by the Mann-Whitney U test (medians) and Fisher exact test (proportions). P values <.05 are indicated in bold.

Abbreviations: CAP, community-acquired pneumonia; CI, confidence interval; ICU, intensive care unit; IQR, interquartile range; LOS, length of hospital stay; Mp, Mycoplasma pneumoniae; NA, not available; OR, odds ratio; RTI, respiratory tract infection; URT, upper respiratory tract.

aDefined according to the Mp-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody-secreting cell (ASC) enzyme-linked immunospot assay results [9].

bOnly patients between 3 and 18 years of age were enrolled (inclusion criteria) [9].

cPer the national immunization schedule in Switzerland.

dChronic lung disorders (excluding asthma) were part of the exclusion criteria [9].

eAsymptomatic carriers: Mp-positive CAP family members: 6 siblings, 1 mother; Mp-negative CAP family members: 1 mother.

fAccording to the prediction rule for risk of Mp infection in children with CAP by Fischer et al [23].

gInclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of CAP with fever >38.5°C and tachypnea according to the British Thoracic Society guidelines [2].

hRadiographic evidence of pneumonia was not part of inclusion criteria, but routinely performed in 60 of 63 (95%) included CAP patients; 98% (59/60) met the criteria for radiological pneumonia [18, 19].

iDermatological (n = 8) [32]: Mp-induced rash and mucositis (n = 3), urticaria (n = 2), and maculopapular skin eruptions (n = 3); neurological (n = 1): aseptic meningitis.

jAntibiotic treatment with ≥1 agent: Mp-positive CAP: amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + clarithromycin (n = 4), amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + doxycycline (n = 3); Mp-negative CAP: amoxicillin + clarithromycin (n = 1), amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + ceftazidime (n = 1). Mp-positive CAP not treated with an antibiotic in vitro active against Mp: 9 (31%); all of them fully recovered.

kAbnormal outcomes: bronchiolitis obliterans with decreased lung function (n = 1), exertional dyspnea without physical findings, ie, normal lung and cardiac function (n = 1), postinflammatory pigmentary alteration (n = 1).

Table 1.

Demographic, Epidemiological, and Clinical Characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae–Positive Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Versus M. pneumoniae–Negative CAP in Children

CharacteristicsMp-Positive CAPa (n = 29)Mp-Negative CAPa (n = 34)OR (95% CI)P Value
Demographic characteristics
 Age, yb, median (IQR)8.6 (6.3–11.0)4.7 (3.9–6.2)< .01
 Sex, male16 (55)23 (68)0.6 (.2–1.9).44
 Season at enrollment
  Spring (March–May)5 (17)6 (18)1.0 (.2–4.4)1.00
  Summer (June–August)9 (31)4 (12)3.3 (.8–16.8).07
  Autumn (September–November)9 (31)8 (23)1.5 (.4–5.2).58
  Winter (December–February)6 (21)16 (47)0.3 (.1–1.0).04
 Daycare or preschool attendance29 (100)34 (100)NA1.00
 Immunizationsc21/23 (91)31/32 (97)0.3 (.0–7.0).57
 Underlying diseased1 (3)9 (26)0.1 (.0–.8).02
  Asthma or history of wheezing11
  Cardiovascular00
  Gastrointestinal02
  Neurological02
  Other04
 Family with RTI17 (59)10 (29)3.3 (1.1–11.0).02
  Mothers144
  Fathers61
  Siblings177
 Family members with Mp detection in URT17/47 (36)2/37 (5)9.7 (2.0–93.2)< .01
  Mothers7/20 (35)2/26 (8)6.2 (1.0–69.7).03
  Fathers1/13 (8)0/10 (0)NA1.00
  Siblings9/14 (64)0/1 (0)NA.40
  Symptomatic (RTI)10/17 (59)1/2 (50)1.4 (.0–123.1)1.00
  Asymptomatic (carrier)7/17 (41)e1/2 (50)e0.7 (.0–62.7)1.00
 Prior antibiotic treatment13 (45)5 (15)4.6 (1.3–19.6).01
Clinical presentation
 Prodrome
  RTI symptoms, d, median (IQR)9.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.0–7.0)< .01
  Fever, d, median (IQR)8.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.3–6.0)< .01
  Fever >2 df26 (90)28 (82)1.8 (.3–12.5).49
 Fever, °C, at presentation, median (IQR)39.1 (39.0–39.7)39.2 (39.0–39.5).89
 RTI symptoms and signs at presentationg
  Runny nose7 (24)14 (41)0.5 (.1–1.5).19
  Sore throat4 (14)4 (12)1.2 (.2–7.1)1.00
  Cough27 (93)30 (88)1.8 (.2–21.2).68
  Chest pain3 (10)7 (21)0.5 (.1–2.2).32
  Wheezing0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
  Abnormal auscultatory findings19 (66)24 (71)0.8 (.2–2.6).79
  Oxygen saturation < 93%5 (17)8 (24)0.7 (.2–2.8).76
Radiographic findings
 Pulmonary infiltrate in chest radiographh28/28 (100)31/32 (97)NA1.00
 Consolidation18 (64)25 (78)0.5 (.1–1.8).26
  Single lobar infiltrate1316
  Multilobar infiltrates59
  Multilobar infiltrates (unilateral)13
  Multilobar infiltrates (bilateral)46
 Interstitial10 (36)6 (19)2.4 (.6–9.5).16
  Reticular106
  Nodular00
 Pleural effusion4 (14)7 (22)0.6 (.1–2.7).52
Severity of illness
 Hospitalization10 (34)19 (56)0.4 (.1–1.3).13
  LOS, d, median (IQR)4.5 (3.3–7.0)2.5 (2.0–5.8).31
  ICU admission0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
 Extrapulmonary manifestation9 (31)i0 (0)NA< .01
  Dermatological8
  Neurological1
Treatment
 Antibiotics after enrollment27 (93)j31 (91)j1.3 (.1–16.7)1.00
  Amoxicillin ± clavulanic acid13 (45)29 (85)0.1 (.0–.5)< .01
  Clarithromycin10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Doxycycline10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Other1 (3)2 (6)0.6 (.0–11.6)1.00
Outcome
 Full recovery26 (90)k34 (100)NA.09
  Respiratory sequelae2
  Dermatological sequelae1
CharacteristicsMp-Positive CAPa (n = 29)Mp-Negative CAPa (n = 34)OR (95% CI)P Value
Demographic characteristics
 Age, yb, median (IQR)8.6 (6.3–11.0)4.7 (3.9–6.2)< .01
 Sex, male16 (55)23 (68)0.6 (.2–1.9).44
 Season at enrollment
  Spring (March–May)5 (17)6 (18)1.0 (.2–4.4)1.00
  Summer (June–August)9 (31)4 (12)3.3 (.8–16.8).07
  Autumn (September–November)9 (31)8 (23)1.5 (.4–5.2).58
  Winter (December–February)6 (21)16 (47)0.3 (.1–1.0).04
 Daycare or preschool attendance29 (100)34 (100)NA1.00
 Immunizationsc21/23 (91)31/32 (97)0.3 (.0–7.0).57
 Underlying diseased1 (3)9 (26)0.1 (.0–.8).02
  Asthma or history of wheezing11
  Cardiovascular00
  Gastrointestinal02
  Neurological02
  Other04
 Family with RTI17 (59)10 (29)3.3 (1.1–11.0).02
  Mothers144
  Fathers61
  Siblings177
 Family members with Mp detection in URT17/47 (36)2/37 (5)9.7 (2.0–93.2)< .01
  Mothers7/20 (35)2/26 (8)6.2 (1.0–69.7).03
  Fathers1/13 (8)0/10 (0)NA1.00
  Siblings9/14 (64)0/1 (0)NA.40
  Symptomatic (RTI)10/17 (59)1/2 (50)1.4 (.0–123.1)1.00
  Asymptomatic (carrier)7/17 (41)e1/2 (50)e0.7 (.0–62.7)1.00
 Prior antibiotic treatment13 (45)5 (15)4.6 (1.3–19.6).01
Clinical presentation
 Prodrome
  RTI symptoms, d, median (IQR)9.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.0–7.0)< .01
  Fever, d, median (IQR)8.0 (6.0–10.0)4.0 (3.3–6.0)< .01
  Fever >2 df26 (90)28 (82)1.8 (.3–12.5).49
 Fever, °C, at presentation, median (IQR)39.1 (39.0–39.7)39.2 (39.0–39.5).89
 RTI symptoms and signs at presentationg
  Runny nose7 (24)14 (41)0.5 (.1–1.5).19
  Sore throat4 (14)4 (12)1.2 (.2–7.1)1.00
  Cough27 (93)30 (88)1.8 (.2–21.2).68
  Chest pain3 (10)7 (21)0.5 (.1–2.2).32
  Wheezing0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
  Abnormal auscultatory findings19 (66)24 (71)0.8 (.2–2.6).79
  Oxygen saturation < 93%5 (17)8 (24)0.7 (.2–2.8).76
Radiographic findings
 Pulmonary infiltrate in chest radiographh28/28 (100)31/32 (97)NA1.00
 Consolidation18 (64)25 (78)0.5 (.1–1.8).26
  Single lobar infiltrate1316
  Multilobar infiltrates59
  Multilobar infiltrates (unilateral)13
  Multilobar infiltrates (bilateral)46
 Interstitial10 (36)6 (19)2.4 (.6–9.5).16
  Reticular106
  Nodular00
 Pleural effusion4 (14)7 (22)0.6 (.1–2.7).52
Severity of illness
 Hospitalization10 (34)19 (56)0.4 (.1–1.3).13
  LOS, d, median (IQR)4.5 (3.3–7.0)2.5 (2.0–5.8).31
  ICU admission0 (0)1 (3)NA1.00
 Extrapulmonary manifestation9 (31)i0 (0)NA< .01
  Dermatological8
  Neurological1
Treatment
 Antibiotics after enrollment27 (93)j31 (91)j1.3 (.1–16.7)1.00
  Amoxicillin ± clavulanic acid13 (45)29 (85)0.1 (.0–.5)< .01
  Clarithromycin10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Doxycycline10 (34)1 (3)16.7 (2.1–772.7)< .01
  Other1 (3)2 (6)0.6 (.0–11.6)1.00
Outcome
 Full recovery26 (90)k34 (100)NA.09
  Respiratory sequelae2
  Dermatological sequelae1

Data are presented as no. or no. (%) unless otherwise indicated. Differences between groups were determined by the Mann-Whitney U test (medians) and Fisher exact test (proportions). P values <.05 are indicated in bold.

Abbreviations: CAP, community-acquired pneumonia; CI, confidence interval; ICU, intensive care unit; IQR, interquartile range; LOS, length of hospital stay; Mp, Mycoplasma pneumoniae; NA, not available; OR, odds ratio; RTI, respiratory tract infection; URT, upper respiratory tract.

aDefined according to the Mp-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody-secreting cell (ASC) enzyme-linked immunospot assay results [9].

bOnly patients between 3 and 18 years of age were enrolled (inclusion criteria) [9].

cPer the national immunization schedule in Switzerland.

dChronic lung disorders (excluding asthma) were part of the exclusion criteria [9].

eAsymptomatic carriers: Mp-positive CAP family members: 6 siblings, 1 mother; Mp-negative CAP family members: 1 mother.

fAccording to the prediction rule for risk of Mp infection in children with CAP by Fischer et al [23].

gInclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of CAP with fever >38.5°C and tachypnea according to the British Thoracic Society guidelines [2].

hRadiographic evidence of pneumonia was not part of inclusion criteria, but routinely performed in 60 of 63 (95%) included CAP patients; 98% (59/60) met the criteria for radiological pneumonia [18, 19].

iDermatological (n = 8) [32]: Mp-induced rash and mucositis (n = 3), urticaria (n = 2), and maculopapular skin eruptions (n = 3); neurological (n = 1): aseptic meningitis.

jAntibiotic treatment with ≥1 agent: Mp-positive CAP: amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + clarithromycin (n = 4), amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + doxycycline (n = 3); Mp-negative CAP: amoxicillin + clarithromycin (n = 1), amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid + ceftazidime (n = 1). Mp-positive CAP not treated with an antibiotic in vitro active against Mp: 9 (31%); all of them fully recovered.

kAbnormal outcomes: bronchiolitis obliterans with decreased lung function (n = 1), exertional dyspnea without physical findings, ie, normal lung and cardiac function (n = 1), postinflammatory pigmentary alteration (n = 1).

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