To analyze pediatric PCR-confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections during the 2023/24 resurgence and compare clinical and laboratory differences between children with MPP mono-detection and those with MPP plus rhinovirus/enterovirus co-detection.
Key Findings:
A resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections was noted post-pandemic, particularly in 2023/24.
Detection rates of MPP declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Children with MPP plus RV/EV co-detection exhibited different clinical and laboratory characteristics compared to those with MPP mono-detection.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may have biases related to data collection.
Subgroup sizes were modest, limiting the generalizability of findings.
Missing values were excluded on a variable-by-variable basis, which may affect the results.
Head and neck abscess incidence was more than 3-fold higher following the pandemic, while patient characteristics and treatment patterns remained largely similar.
Research highlights expanding diagnostic capabilities but persistent gaps in antiviral therapy and vaccine coverage for pediatric enterovirus infections.
