New Insights on the Clinical Significance of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae-DNA Load in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia

Authors

Chen Yu, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, ChinaFollow
Lin ChenXi, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
Huang Rui, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
Chen Qi, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
Zhang Min, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
Chen Ling, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
Lai XingQian, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, No. 201-209 Hubin South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the consistency of MP-DNA load in the respiratory tracts, its correlation with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) manifestations, and its predictive value for refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on a cohort of MPP cases, including 215 patients with positive nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) MP-DNA and 59 with positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) MP-DNA. Patients were categorized into two groups based on MP-DNA load: low-load (≤106/mL) and high-load (>106/mL). The consistency of MP-DNA load in NPA and BALF was determined by Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were compared, and the predictive value of NPA MP-DNA for RMPP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results: A strong correlation was observed between NPA and BALF MP-DNA. High-load groups in both had longer fever durations and more pronounced increases in C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin (P < 0.05). Routine-dose glucocorticoids were more required for patients exhibiting high MP-DNA loads, regardless of the source of the sample. The area under curve for predicting RMPP using NPA MP-DNA load was 0.861, with 92.9% sensitivity and 67.9% specificity at a cut-off of 9.5×105/mL.

Conclusions: The NPA MP-DNA load reflects the severity of pulmonary inflammatory response. Increased MP-DNA load in both the upper and lower airways is associated with longer fever and increased inflammation, indicating a need for glucocorticoids therapy. NPA MP-DNA can predict RMPP with high sensitivity.

Recommended Citation

Yu, Chen; ChenXi, Lin; Rui, Huang; Qi, Chen; Min, Zhang; Ling, Chen; and XingQian, Lai () "New Insights on the Clinical Significance of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae-DNA Load in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia," Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Vol. 20: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://jpid.researchcommons.org/journal/vol20/iss1/9