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BMC Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to reduce the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have suppressed the spread...
BACKGROUND
Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to reduce the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have suppressed the spread of other respiratory viruses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological trends and clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection among inpatient children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate the long-term effects of China's NPIs against COVID-19 on the epidemiology of MP among inpatient children with LRTI.
METHODS
Children hospitalised for LRTI at the Department of Pulmonology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2022 were tested for common respiratory pathogens, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and other bacteria. Clinical data on age, sex, season of onset, disease spectrum, and combined infection in children with MP-induced LRTI in the past 4 years were collected and analysed.
RESULTS
Overall, 15909 patients were enrolled, and MP-positive cases were 1971 (34.0%), 73 (2.4%), 176 (5.8%), and 952 (20.6%) in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, with a significant statistical difference in the MP-positive rate over the 4 years (p <0.001). The median age of these children was preschool age (3-6 years), except for 2022, when they were school age (7-12 years), with statistical differences. Comparing the positive rates of different age groups, the school-age children (7-12 years) had the highest positive rate, followed by the preschoolers (3-6 years) in each of the 4 years. Compared among different seasons, the positive rate of MP in children with LRTI was higher in summer and autumn, whereas in 2020, it was highest in spring. The monthly positive rate peaked in July 2019, remained low from 2020 to 2021, and rebounded until 2022. Regarding the disease spectrum, severe pneumonia accounted for the highest proportion (46.3%) pre-pandemic and lowest (0%) in 2020.
CONCLUSION
Trends in MP detection in children with LRTIs suggest a possible correlation between COVID-19 NPIs and significantly reduced detection rates. The positivity rate of MP gradually rose after 2 years. The epidemic season showed some differences, but school-age children were more susceptible to MP before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Humans; China; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Male; Female; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Respiratory Tract Infections; Adolescent; Infant; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics
PubMed: 38824572
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09438-2 -
BMC Pediatrics May 2024Neurospecific Enolase (NSE), a multifunctional protein, is present in various tissues of the body and plays an important role in many disease processes, such as...
BACKGROUND
Neurospecific Enolase (NSE), a multifunctional protein, is present in various tissues of the body and plays an important role in many disease processes, such as infection, inflammation, tumours, injury, and immunity. In recent years, the application of NSE in respiratory diseases has become increasingly widespread and a research hotspot.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore the relationship between NSE and childhood pneumonia, providing assistance for the diagnosis and assessment of pneumonia.
METHODS
Using prospective research and case-control methods, We selected 129 children with pneumonia hospitalised in Weifang People's Hospital from September 2020 to April 2022 as the case group. Among them were 67 cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP+), 62 cases of non-Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP -), and 21 cases of severe pneumonia. At the same time, 136 children who underwent outpatient health examinations were selected as the control group. The levels of NSE, ESR, CRP in cases group and NSE in control group were measured separately.
RESULT
The NSE levels in the MP + group were 17.86 (14.29-22.54) ng/mL, while those in the MP- group were 17.89 (14.10-21.66) ng/mL, both of which were higher than the control group's NSE levels of 13.26(12.18,14.44) ng/mL (H = 46.92, P = 0.000). There was no statistically significant difference in NSE levels between the MP + and MP - groups (P > 0.05). The NSE level in the severe pneumonia group was 27.38 (13.95-34.06) ng/mL, higher than that in the mild pneumonia group, which was 17.68 (14.27-21.04) ng/mL, (P = 0.024). The AUC values for diagnosing pneumonia are NSE0.714, CRP0.539, and ESR0.535, with NSE having the highest diagnostic value.
CONCLUSION
Serum NSE can serve as an inflammatory indicator for paediatric pneumonia, which has important clinical guidance significance for the diagnosis, condition evaluation, and prognosis of paediatric pneumonia.
Topics: Humans; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Case-Control Studies; Female; Male; Child, Preschool; Child; Prospective Studies; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Pneumonia; Biomarkers; Infant; C-Reactive Protein; Clinical Relevance
PubMed: 38822291
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04852-6 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jul 2024We report a large-scale outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections encompassing 218 cases (0.8% of 26,449 patients tested) during 2023-2024 in Marseille,...
We report a large-scale outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections encompassing 218 cases (0.8% of 26,449 patients tested) during 2023-2024 in Marseille, France. The bacterium is currently circulating and primarily affects children <15 years of age. High prevalence of co-infections warrants the use of a syndromic diagnostic strategy.
Topics: Humans; France; Disease Outbreaks; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Male; Female; Adult; Infant; Young Adult; Middle Aged; History, 21st Century; Aged; Prevalence; Coinfection; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 38816344
DOI: 10.3201/eid3007.240315 -
Biosensors & Bioelectronics Sep 2024To address the limitations of the CRISPR/Cas12f1 system in clinical diagnostics, which require the complex preparation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or in vitro...
To address the limitations of the CRISPR/Cas12f1 system in clinical diagnostics, which require the complex preparation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or in vitro transcripts (RNA), we developed a fluorescent biosensor named PDTCTR (PAM-dependent dsDNA Target-activated Cas12f1 Trans Reporter). This innovative biosensor integrates Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) with the Cas12f_ge4.1 system, facilitating the direct detection of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). PDTCTR represents a significant leap forward, exhibiting a detection sensitivity that is a hundredfold greater than the original Cas12f1 system. It demonstrates the capability to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) with excellent sensitivity of 10 copies per microliter (16.8 aM) and distinguishes single nucleotide variations (SNVs) with high precision, including the EGFR (L858R) mutations prevalent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical evaluations of PDTCTR have demonstrated its high sensitivity and specificity, with rates ranging from 93%-100% and 100%, respectively, highlighting its potential to revolutionize diagnostic approaches for infectious diseases and cancer-related SNVs.This research underscores the substantial advancements in CRISPR technology for clinical diagnostics and its promising future in early disease detection and personalized medicine.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Humans; CRISPR-Cas Systems; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems; Hepatitis B virus; DNA; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; CRISPR-Associated Proteins; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Bacterial Proteins; Lung Neoplasms; Endodeoxyribonucleases; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 38805891
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116428 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... May 2024To study the risk factors for embolism in children with refractory pneumonia (RMPP) and to construct a nomogram model for prediction of embolism.
OBJECTIVES
To study the risk factors for embolism in children with refractory pneumonia (RMPP) and to construct a nomogram model for prediction of embolism.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 175 children diagnosed with RMPP at Children's Hospital Affiliated toZhengzhou University from January 2019 to October 2023. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of embolism: the embolism group (=62) and the non-embolism group (=113). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk factors of embolism in children with RMPP, and the R software was applied to construct the nomogram model for prediction of embolism.
RESULTS
Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of D-dimer, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lung necrosis, and pleural effusion were risk factors for embolism in children with RMPP (<0.05). The area under the curve of the nomogram model for prediction of embolism constructed based on the aforementioned risk factors was 0.912 (95%: 0.871-0.952, <0.05). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the model had a good fit with the actual situation (<0.05). Calibration and decision curve analysis indicated that the model had high predictive efficacy and clinical applicability.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher levels of D-dimer, IL-6 and NLR, lung necrosis, and pleural effusion are risk factors for embolism in children with RMPP. The nomogram model based on these risk factors has high clinical value for predicting embolism in children with RMPP.
Topics: Humans; Nomograms; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Female; Male; Child; Risk Factors; Retrospective Studies; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Interleukin-6; Child, Preschool; Logistic Models; Embolism; Neutrophils; Adolescent
PubMed: 38802909
DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2311146 -
Infectious Diseases Now May 2024While sensitive molecular diagnostic tests enable accurate and rapid diagnosis of many respiratory viruses, their impact on antibiotic management remains uncertain. Our...
Real-life impact on antimicrobial prescription of Syndromic Molecular Testing in adults hospitalized in infectious disease departments. Respiratory Syndromic Molecular Testing panel: Is it worth it?
BACKGROUND
While sensitive molecular diagnostic tests enable accurate and rapid diagnosis of many respiratory viruses, their impact on antibiotic management remains uncertain. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of respiratory syndromic molecular testing panel in real-life clinical practice.
METHOD
Retrospective descriptive study involving consecutive hospitalized patients in an infectious disease department who had been prescribed a respiratory syndromic molecular testing panel on nasopharyngeal swab samples (FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 plus) during hospitalization from October 1st, 2021, to February 28th, 2023.
RESULTS
All in all, 94 out of 210 screened patients were included in the study. Syndromic molecular testing results influenced antibiotic treatment in seven cases: discontinuation in four cases (three virus identifications), changes in two (Mycoplasma pneumoniae positive cases), and initiation in two (negative viral PCRs and one positive bacterial culture).
CONCLUSION
In our study, respiratory syndromic molecular testing had low impact on antibiotic modification.
PubMed: 38801977
DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104933 -
International Journal of Biometeorology May 2024Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and respiratory tract disease in humans. While accumulated pieces...
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and respiratory tract disease in humans. While accumulated pieces of epidemiological evidence suggest an association between meteorological factors and the risk of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, comprehensive nationwide studies on this topic are lacking. We aimed to systematically assess the effect of meteorological factors such as mean temperature and relative humidity on the incidence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in Japan over a 15-year period from 2005 to 2019. The exposure - response relationships between incidence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, mean temperature, and relative humidity in all 47 Japanese prefectures (covering whole country) for 2005 - 2019 were quantified by using a distributed lag non-linear model for each prefecture and the estimates from all the prefectures were then pooled using a multivariate mete-regression model to derive nationwide average associations. The study encompassed a total of 162,845 M. pneumoniae pneumonia cases. Our findings indicate that seasonal variations in weekly mean temperature and relative humidity were positively associated with the incidence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Specifically, when considering - 1.3 °C as the reference, the relative risk (RR) peaked at 16.8 °C (with RRs of 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-1.70). Similarly, when using 45.5% relative humidity as the reference, the RR reached its peak at 87.7% (with RRs of 1.49, 95% CI: 1.33-1.67). These results emphasize the necessity of implementing climate change adaptation strategies and public health interventions in regions vulnerable to M. pneumoniae pneumonia.
PubMed: 38801532
DOI: 10.1007/s00484-024-02712-7 -
European Journal of Clinical... May 2024To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for pneumonia in children co-infected with influenza A virus (IAV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for pneumonia in children co-infected with influenza A virus (IAV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).
METHODS
Children who were diagnosed with IAV and MP infection between January and December, 2023 were enrolled and divided into a non-pneumonia group and a pneumonia group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate each index, and the risk factors for pneumonia caused by coinfection in the two groups were explored.
RESULTS
A total of 209 patients were enrolled, of which 107 and 102 patients were in the pneumonia and non-pneumonia groups, respectively. The patients in the pneumonia group were older and had a longer duration of fever (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the median age, duration of fever, and CD3, CD4, CD8 and IL-10 levels were significantly correlated with pneumonia (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the median age, duration of fever, and CD4, CD8 and IL-10 levels were independent risk factors for pneumonia. Area under the curve of the five combined indicators in the ROC (receiver operator characteristic) analysis was 0.883, was higher than single factor.
CONCLUSION
Children with IAV and MP infection whose age older than 6.08 years, had a fever longer than 4 days, had a CD4 count < 22.12%, had a CD8 count < 35.21%, had an IL-10 concentration > 22.08 ng/ml were more likely to develop pneumonia.
PubMed: 38789887
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04854-3 -
Marine Drugs May 2024, a notable pathogen behind respiratory infections, employs specialized proteins to adhere to the respiratory epithelium, an essential process for initiating infection....
, a notable pathogen behind respiratory infections, employs specialized proteins to adhere to the respiratory epithelium, an essential process for initiating infection. The role of glycosaminoglycans, especially heparan sulfate, is critical in facilitating pathogen-host interactions, presenting a strategic target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we assembled a glycan library comprising heparin, its oligosaccharide derivatives, and a variety of marine-derived sulfated glycans to screen the potential inhibitors for the pathogen-host interactions. By using Surface Plasmon Resonance spectroscopy, we evaluated the library's efficacy in inhibiting the interaction between adhesion proteins and heparin. Our findings offer a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies against infections.
Topics: Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Heparin; Polysaccharides; Aquatic Organisms; Humans; Adhesins, Bacterial; Bacterial Adhesion; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Animals; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Sulfates
PubMed: 38786623
DOI: 10.3390/md22050232 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Aug 2024Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global cause of death and hospitalization. Bacteria or community-acquired viruses (CARVs) cause CAP. COVID-19 associated...
BACKGROUND
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global cause of death and hospitalization. Bacteria or community-acquired viruses (CARVs) cause CAP. COVID-19 associated restrictions effectively reduced the circulation of CARVs.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to analyze the proportion of CARVs in adult patients with CAP from mid-2020 to mid-2023. Specifically, we aimed to compare the rate of influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV detections in patients aged 18-59 years and ≥60 years.
STUDY DESIGN
We analyze the proportion of 21 community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARVs) and three atypical bacteria (Bordetella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae) in nasopharyngeal swab samples using molecular multiplex methods within the prospective, multicentre, multinational study of the German study Group CAPNETZ. We used stringent inclusion criteria throughout the study.
RESULTS
We identified CARVs in 364/1,388 (26.2 %) patients. In detail, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 210/1,388 (15.1 %), rhino-/enterovirus in 64/1,388 (4.6 %), influenza virus in 23/1,388 (1.6 %) and RSV in 17/1,388 (1.2 %) of all patients. We detected RSV and influenza more frequently in patients ≥60 years, especially in 22/23 compared to the previous season. None of the atypical bacteria were detected.
CONCLUSIONS
Beginning in 2023, we demonstrate a re-emergence of CARVs in CAP patients. Effective vaccines or specific antiviral therapies for more than two thirds of the detected viral infections are currently available. High detection rates of vaccine-preventable viruses in older age groups support targeted vaccination campaigns.
Topics: Humans; Community-Acquired Infections; Middle Aged; Adult; Prospective Studies; Male; Female; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged; COVID-19; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; SARS-CoV-2; Pneumonia, Viral; Influenza, Human; Germany; Viruses; Nasopharynx; Legionella pneumophila
PubMed: 38781632
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105694