Mycoplasma infection in Malaysian children: laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy.
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Date
2015-01
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Abstract
Background: Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae) is an important causative agent of
childhood infection with variable clinical presentations. The objective of the study was to
evaluate the laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy of M. pneumoniae infection in
children admitted to paediatric ward. Materials & Methods: A total of 111 children, of which
59 (53.2%) boys and 52 (46.8%) girls, with median age of 2 years (inter quartile range 1-6
years) with suspected M. pneumoniae infection were tested for IgM by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children were classified as seropositive and seronegative.
Results: Of the 111 children, 45 (40.5%) had serological evidence of M. pneumoniae infection
and the remaining 66 (59.5%) were seronegative. There was significant association (p < 0.001)
between age and serology response. Seropositive children were more likely to be older (median
age 5.0 [interquartile range 2- 7] years, p < 0.001). Children with M. pneumoniae infection
were less likely to have cough (p = 0.023) in which 55 (65.5%) patients having cough were
seronegative. There was no significant association between laboratory findings of full blood
count and serology. Conclusion: In addition to clinical and laboratory features, other factors
like age group and absence of cough might be helpful in predicting M. pneumoniae infection.
Description
Keywords
children, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, pneumonia, atypical pneumonia, antimicrobial therapy
Citation
Sulong A, Murugaan T, Balakrishnan A/L, En N L, Zain N M, Mohd Sabri F L Satariah Ali U K, Othman S N, Rahman M M. Mycoplasma infection in Malaysian children: laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science. 2015; 14(1): 75-78.