Prevalence, risk factors and outcome of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children in Uganda: a prospective study

: Atypical bacteria cause 10–40% of all childhood pneumonia.. Data on the burden of atypical pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.

: To determine the prevalence, associated factors, and outcome of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with respiratory symptoms at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala.

: Children aged 2 months to 12 years with cough and/or difficult breathing and fast breathing were recruited. A clinical history and physical examination were undertaken. Blood samples for Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM antibodies were taken at enrolment and Day 21 and induced sputum for DNA-PCR. Admitted participants were followed for a maximum of 7 days or until discharge or death, whichever came first.

: A total of 385 children were enrolled, and, of these, 368 (95.6%) were <5 years. Overall, 60/385 (15.6%) participants tested positive for M. pneumoniae IgM and/or DNA-PCR. Of these, 56/60 (93.3%) were <5 years of age. Wheezing was present in 21/60 (35.0%) of the children with atypical pneumonia and in 128/325 (39.4%) with typical pneumonia. The factors associated with M. pneumonia were female sex (AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.22–3.08, p < 0.001), age ≥12 months (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.53–4.87, p = 0.01) and a history of prematurity (AOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.23–3.49, p = 0.01). Mortality was 17/352 (4.8%) and, of these, 4/17 (23.5%) had M. pneumonia.

: M. pneumonia is common in young children , especially females above 2 years and those with history of prematurity. It presents with severe symptoms. The results of the study highlight the importance of considering atypical bacteria in under-5s with the symptoms of pneumonia.