High frequency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae among patients with atypical pneumonia in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of atypical community-acquired pneumonia) CAP) with a prevalence range of 15-20% and up to 40% in adults and children, respectively. In Iran, the recorded frequency ranges between 1-6.15%. We aimed to investigate the frequency of M. pneumoniae among patients with atypical pneumonia acquired from the community. Methods Over a period of 5 months between January and June 2017, 520 patients with suspected CAP, who had been to the hospital outpatient clinics of Tehran University, were enrolled in this study. Throat swab specimens were obtained from 110 outpatients who presented with symptoms of atypical pneumonia. M. pneumoniae was identified via culture and biochemical tests, such as fermentation of glucose and arginine, hemolysis, and hemadsorption. For confirmation, PCR was performed to amplify the gene fragment coding for p1 adhesin. Results The major and minor clinical signs of the patients were dyspnea (67.3%) and nausea (15.5%), respectively. Out of 110 specimens, 25 (22.7%) and 29 (26.4%) isolates were identified to be M. pneumoniae via culture and molecular assay, respectively. Comparing the results of the two methods, the PCR showed better sensitivity and rapidity for the detection of M. pneumoniae. There was a high congruence between culture and the PCR assay; kappa level was 'almost perfect' (κ=0.90). Conclusion This is the first report of high frequency of M. pneumoniae in our region. This finding can serve as baseline information for further investigation and confirmation of the potential epidemics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in our community.

Frequency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia spp. among patients with atypical pneumonia in Tehran

“…The first one was conducted by Arfaatabar et al. [ 27 ], who reported a high frequency (26.4%) of this agent in their studied population. The second one was done by our own group and found the rate of M. pneumoniae to be 25.2% [ 6 ].…”

Polydatin suppresses the development of lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting activation of the NACHT domain‐, leucine‐rich repeat‐, and pyd‐containing protein 3 inflammasome and the nuclear factor‐κB pathway after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

“…MPP is one of the most common forms of CAP in children . Increasing evidence has shown that PD has antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects .…”

“…MPP is one of the most common forms of CAP in children. 2,17 Increasing evidence has shown that PD has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. 18,19 So, in this study, the effects of PD ( Figure 1A) against MPP were investigated both in vivo and in vitro.…”

Identification ofMycoplasma pneumoniae-associated pneumonia cases among hospitalized patients using CLART® microarray technology

“…42 In a 5-month study (from January 2017 to June 2017), Arfaatabar et al observed a high frequency of M. pneumoniae among 520 patients with CAP in Tehran, Iran. 43 Su et al determined that M. pneumoniae was highly prevalent in hospitalized children with community-acquired M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) (66.4% [221/333 pediatric patients]). 44 A retrospective study by Cheng et al investigated the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae in Chinese children with respiratory infections from June 2016 to May 2021.…”