Abstract

Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections, with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) being the most frequent manifestation. Since April 2023 a major resurgence of Mp infections has been reported worldwide.
Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Athens. All patients aged 0-16 years admitted with acute respiratory infection caused by Mp between January 2019 and November 2024 were retrospectively recorded and their demographic data and clinical characteristics were documented. Mp infection was confirmed using a molecular respiratory panel (BioFire FilmArray®) of nasopharyngeal specimens.
Result: During the six-year study period, a total of 46 patients with confirmed Mp respiratory infections were recorded. A significant rise in Mp infections was detected in 2024, beginning in March and peaking in May. Thirty-nine pediatric patients, with a median age of 10 years, were diagnosed with Mp infection during 2024, revealing a statistically significant increase in Mp positivity rate compared to the period 2019-2023 (2.28% in 2024 vs 0.58% in 2019-2023). Most patients (82%) presented with CAP, while extrapulmonary manifestations were observed in 5% of patients. Coinfections were identified in 11 patients (28%). No statistically significant differences in patient characteristics were found between the two periods.
Conclusion: Our data reveal an ongoing outbreak of Mp cases within the community, consistent with global trends, and underlines the importance of national surveillance and heightened vigilance of clinicians to ensure the prompt diagnosis and treatment of these infections.