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The Lancet. Microbe Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 37393927
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00182-9 -
The Lancet. Microbe Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; COVID-19; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38008103
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00344-0 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Although previous studies have reported the dysregulation of respiratory tract microbiota in infectious diseases, insufficient data exist regarding respiratory...
Although previous studies have reported the dysregulation of respiratory tract microbiota in infectious diseases, insufficient data exist regarding respiratory microbiota imbalances in the lower respiratory tracts (LRTs) of children with pneumonia (MPP). Here, we analysed the microbial community using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 158 children with MPP and 29 with bacterial or viral pneumonia (control group) were collected. The diversity of the microbial community was significantly different between the two groups. A significantly increased abundance of Tenericutes and was detected in the MPP group, exceeding 67% and 65% of the total bacterial population, respectively. Using abundance as the diagnostic method, the sensitivity and specificity of the model was 97.5% and 96.6%, respectively. Compared to the mild MPP group, lower alpha diversity and significantly increased abundance were found in the severe MPP group (< 0.01). The abundance of was positively correlated with complications and clinical indices in children with severe MPP compared with children with mild MPP. Our study describes the features of the LRT microbiota of children with MPP and uncovered its association with disease severity. This finding may offer insights into the pathogenesis of MPP in children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Microbiota
PubMed: 37132354
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2202272 -
World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; China
PubMed: 38185707
DOI: 10.1007/s12519-023-00783-x -
Nature Aug 2023Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life. Here we report on how an... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported bacteria, but were not affected by genome minimization. Genome streamlining was costly, leading to a decrease in fitness of greater than 50%, but this deficit was regained during 2,000 generations of evolution. Despite selection acting on distinct genetic targets, increases in the maximum growth rate of the synthetic cells were comparable. Moreover, when performance was assessed by relative fitness, the minimal cell evolved 39% faster than the non-minimal cell. The only apparent constraint involved the evolution of cell size. The size of the non-minimal cell increased by 80%, whereas the minimal cell remained the same. This pattern reflected epistatic effects of mutations in ftsZ, which encodes a tubulin-homologue protein that regulates cell division and morphology. Our findings demonstrate that natural selection can rapidly increase the fitness of one of the simplest autonomously growing organisms. Understanding how species with small genomes overcome evolutionary challenges provides critical insights into the persistence of host-associated endosymbionts, the stability of streamlined chassis for biotechnology and the targeted refinement of synthetically engineered cells.
Topics: Biotechnology; Cell Division; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Bacterial; Mutation; Mycoplasma mycoides; Genes, Essential; Synthetic Biology; Cell Size; Epistasis, Genetic; Selection, Genetic; Genetic Fitness; Symbiosis; Tubulin
PubMed: 37407813
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06288-x -
The Clinical Respiratory Journal Jul 2023To compare the demographic and clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) children with non-MPP (NMPP) children and...
BACKGROUND
To compare the demographic and clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) children with non-MPP (NMPP) children and general MPP (GMPP) children with refractory MPP (RMPP) children and analysis the relationship with the severity of disease.
METHODS
The study included 265 children with MPP and 230 children with NMPP in the Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2020 to 2021. The children with MPP included RMPP (n = 85) and GMPP (n = 180). Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings of all children were measured as baseline data within 24 h after admission and the differences between MPP and NMPP, RMPP and GMPP patients were compared. ROC curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of different indicators for RMPP.
RESULTS
Fever duration and hospital stay in children with MPP were longer than those with NMPP. The number of patients with imaging features of pleural effusion, lung consolidation and bronchopneumonia in MPP group was significantly higher than that in NMPP group. Compared with NMPP group, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), serum amyloid A (SAA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1β) in MPP group were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The clinical symptoms and pulmonary imaging findings were more severe in RMPP group. The levels of white blood cell (WBC), CRP, PCT, SAA, ESR, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), LDH, ferritin, PT, FIB, D-dimer and inflammatory cytokines in RMPP group were higher than those in GMPP group. There was no significant difference in the level of lymphocyte subsets between the RMPP and GMPP group. IL-6, IL-10, LDH, PT, D-dimer and lung consolidation were independent risk factors for RMPP. IL-6 levels and LDH activity were good predictors of RMPP.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there were differences in clinical characteristics and serum inflammatory markers between MPP group and NMPP group, RMPP group and GMPP group. IL-6, IL-10, LDH, PT and D-dimer can be used as predictive indicators for RMPP.
Topics: Humans; Child; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Retrospective Studies; Biomarkers; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; C-Reactive Protein; Cytokines; Procalcitonin
PubMed: 37142438
DOI: 10.1111/crj.13620 -
Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2023Mycoplasmas are the smallest prokaryotic microorganisms found in nature. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is the most commonly studied among human mycoplasmas. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasmas are the smallest prokaryotic microorganisms found in nature. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is the most commonly studied among human mycoplasmas.
OBJECTIVES
In this review, we briefly focus on the recent developments that have enhanced our understanding of M. pneumoniae, one of the smallest pathogenic bacteria of great clinical importance in children.
CONTENT
M. pneumoniae infections may involve either upper or lower respiratory tract or both of them. Extrapulmonary manifestations have been reported in almost every organ, including the skin and the hematologic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous system due to direct local effects, after dissemination of bacteria or indirect effects. The correct identification of M. pneumoniae infections is vital for prescription of the appropriate therapy.There are scarce specific findings of clinical laboratory results for the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection. Detection of M. pneumoniae infections can be achieved using culture, serology, or molecular-based methods. Culture is time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. The major types of serological tests for M. pneumoniae include the microtiter plate enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the membrane EIA, indirect immunofluorescence, and particle agglutination. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) include traditional PCR, nested PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology, and RNA simultaneous amplification and testing (SAT). Macrolides have been the drug of choice for treating M. pneumoniae infection in past years. Clinically significant acquired macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMP)has emerged worldwide which may be associated with more extrapulmonary complications, and severe clinical and radiological features. Since molecular-based assays can detect M. pnueumoniae in clinical specimens, there is a need for real point of care testing for fast detection of M. pneumoniae or its DNA and mutations in macrolide resistance gene. It is necessary to develop safe vaccines that provide protective immunity against M.pneumoniae infection.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Clinical Relevance; Macrolides; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 37741157
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2023.100480 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Nov 2023We analyzed the clinical characteristics of children with plastic bronchitis (PB) caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and explored its risk factors.
BACKGROUND
We analyzed the clinical characteristics of children with plastic bronchitis (PB) caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and explored its risk factors.
METHODS
We prospectively analyzed clinical data of children with MP pneumonia (MPP) treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB). Patients were classified into a PB and non-PB group. General information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, results of computed tomography scan, and FB findings were compared between groups. We conducted statistical analysis of risk factors for developing PB.
RESULTS
Of 1169 children who had MPP and were treated with FB, 133 and 1036 were in the PB and non-PB groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in sex, age, and incident season between groups (P > 0.05). The number of children in the PB group decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with children in the non-PB group, those in the PB group had longer duration of hospitalization, increased levels of neutrophil (N), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST); lower levels of lymphocyte (L) and platelet (PLT); and higher incidence of lack of appetite, decreased breath sounds, single lobar infiltrate, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, mucosal erosion and/or necrosis, and bronchial embolization. L levels and pleural effusion were identified as risk factors in multivariate logistic regression.
CONCLUSIONS
Children with PB caused by MPP had a strong and local inflammatory response. L levels and pleural effusion were independent risk factors of PB with MPP in children. Our findings will help clinicians identify potential PB in pediatric patients for early and effective intervention.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pandemics; Retrospective Studies; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Pleural Effusion; Risk Factors; Bronchitis
PubMed: 37996853
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02766-0 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Exanthema; Mucositis; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma pneumoniae
PubMed: 37888919
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm2305301 -
The Lancet. Microbe Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; China; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Macrolides; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial
PubMed: 38244553
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00405-6