By: Hong Liu, Fadi Liu, Lijuan Xiong, Shuai Liu, Fen Yang, Qiang Chen
Keywords: Children; Epidemiology; Mycoplasma pneumonia; Macrolide resistance; Non–pharmaceutical interventions
DOI : 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.2.REG.13247.1
Abstract: Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented during the COVID-19 period may have influenced epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection and macrolide resistance in Children. Objective: To investigate the impact of NPIs on the epidemiological characteristics and macrolide resistance of MP infection in children from Jiangxi. Methods: Clinical data from patients tested for MP-DNA between 2019 and. 2023 were analyzed and categorized into pre-NPIs (2019), during-NPIs (2020-2022), and post-NPIs (2023) periods. Results: Among 19,862 specimens, 2,913 (14.67%) were MP-DNA positive, with•71.13% carrying macrolide-resistant mutations. The MP. Infection rate dropped significantly during NPIs (3 .76%) compared to pre-NPI (22.19%) and post-NPI• (29.78%) periods (?²•=. 2327.01, p <•0.01). The macrolide-resistant mutation rate was lowest during NPIs (59.26%) versus pre-NPI• (70.21%) and post-NPI (73 89%) (?² = 35.19, p < 0.01). Resistance rates did not differ by gender but were highest in children aged 3-<6 years (74.20%). The age distribution of resistant cases shifted, with the highest proportion in 3-<6•years pre-NPIs (33.25%) and in >6•years post-NPIs (55.07%). Conclusion: NPls temporarily reduced, MP incidence and overall macrolide resistance, especially in older children, but created an immune debt, leading to a significant post-NPI surge. Targeted public health strategies in schools and childcare settings may help control MP spread and resistance.
[View Complete Article]
