Occurrence and Clinical Features of Septicemia in Children Affected by Pneumonia Caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Iraq

Abstract

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mycoplasma pneumonia) pneumonia in children can be challenging to treat, and the impact of Mycoplasma pneumonia blood infection is unclear. The present study aims to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumonia septicemia among pediatric patients.

Methods: Children hospitalized at Alazizya general hospital for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia between October 2021 and June 2023 were included. Healthy controls visiting our outpatient clinic for regular physical examinations were also enrolled. Mycoplasma pneumonia was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples.

Results: Seventy-four children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and 30 healthy children were included. Among children with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection, 41 (55.4%) were positive for Mycoplasma pneumonia by qPCR (27 in plasma samples, 10 in PBMC samples, and 4 in both). All healthy controls were negative for Mycoplasma pneumonia by qPCR.

Conclusions: The prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae septicemia in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia pneumonia is moderate. However, detection of Mycoplasma pneumonia in blood samples may have limited clinical value for guiding treatment.