Clinical Evaluation of Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections in Pediatric Japanese Patients

Background: In recent years, an increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections among children has become a social issue in Japan.
Methods: During a 2-year collection period (2011-2012), we evaluated trends during the first and second halves of both years. Only patients with positive rapid antigen detection test results (ImmunoCard Mycoplasma: Meridian Bioscience, Inc Cincinnati, OH, USA) were included. The evaluation items included the patient number, sex, radiography findings, white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and clinical macrolide-resistance rate.
Results: The patient number increased significantly during the latter halves of the years. The macrolide-resistance rate also increased during the same periods. A similar trend was observed with respect to radiography findings but not with respect to the WBC count and CRP level.
Conclusions: It is important to monitor the macrolide-resistance trends in case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children.