Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children:a retrospective study at a tertiary hospital in Central China

AimMycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common and significant pathogen prevalent among children. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of MP infection in children prior to (2018-2019), during (2020-2022), and following (2023-2024) the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThis study collected 140,098 MP detection results from Henan Children s Hospital from 2018 to 2024. An analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of MP infection in children was conducted. ResultsOur findings revealed that the highest positive rate of MP infection reached 35.86% in 2023. Among children diagnosed with pneumonia, the positivity rate was the highest. Additionally, children aged over 6 years had the highest positive rate of MP infection. Furthermore, girls were found to be more susceptible to MP infection than boys. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a high positivity rate epidemic began in July each year and lasted for over four months. During the pandemic, there was no prolonged seasonal high positivity rate. Post-pandemic, a sharp surge in positive rates began in July, sustaining an intense outbreak for 17 consecutive months, underscoring significant shifts in MPs epidemiological patterns. ConclusionsThe implementation of strict pandemic control measures led to a disruption in the circulation of MP. However, with the termination of these control measures, MP has witnessed a more severe explosive growth among children, and has shown an epidemic situation with a longer duration.