Improved Diagnostics Help to Identify Clinical Features and Biomarkers That Predict Mycoplasma pneumoniae Community-acquired Pneumonia in Children

Meyer Sauteur, Patrick M; Krautter, Selina; Ambroggio, Lilliam; Seiler, Michelle; Paioni, Paolo; Relly, Christa; Capaul, Riccarda; Kellenberger, Christian; Haas, Thorsten; Gysin, Claudine; Bachmann, Lucas M; van Rossum, Annemarie M C; Berger, Christoph

We were able to corroborate previous study findings in that Mp-positive CAP manifests predominantly in school-aged children >5 years [1, 12, 23] and children present with prodromal fever and respiratory symptoms of >6 days [1] , significantly longer compared with CAP caused by other etiology. Other symptoms and signs, as well as radiographic findings, did not differentiate Mp-positive from Mp-negative CAP [1, 5, 6] . Data are presented as no. or no. (%). Differences between proportions were determined by the Fisher exact test. P values <.05 are indicated in bold. Pharyngeal samples were tested in all patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Mp [14] and Sp [15] , and for other bacterial and viral pathogens by the ePlex respiratory panel [17] Extrapulmonary manifestations, predominantly skin disorders, were statistically associated with Mp-positive CAP in this study. Its presence significantly increases the probability of underlying Mp infection [32] . This may be also true for the presence of RTI within families of Mp-positive CAP patients. Our observation of frequent RTI symptoms and Mp detection in members of those families supports previous data about Mp spread among persons in close contact and family transmission of Mp [33] [34] [35] [36] .