Summary

What CDC knows

Bacterial infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae has increased in the United States since late spring and has remained high. The percentage of patients discharged from the emergency department with a diagnosis of M. pneumonia-associated pneumonia or acute bronchitis has increased over the past six months, peaking in late August.

What CDC does

CDC is monitoring the recent increase in numbers M. pneumonia infections using various surveillance tools to better understand any differences in demographics, disease severity and outcomes M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC is also contacting healthcare providers and health departments to raise awareness about the increase M. pneumonia infections and working to monitor antibiotic resistance.

M. pneumonia are bacteria that can cause pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of mild respiratory illness. The number of infections has continued to rise since late spring M. pneumonia has increased, especially among young children. This differs from published studies from previous years, when most infections were observed among school-aged children and adolescents.

Mycoplasma is a bacterium that can infect different parts of the body. M. pneumonia is a kind Mycoplasma that can cause respiratory infections. The bacteria can damage the lining of the airways, including the throat, trachea and lungs.

M. pneumonia Infections are generally mild and usually present in the form of a chest cold, but can also manifest as pneumonia. The onset of symptoms is typically gradual and may include fever, coughing, and sore throat. When a M. pneumonia infection progresses to pneumonia, it is usually a less severe form of bacterial pneumonia, commonly called ‘walking pneumonia’.

Although uncommon, serious complications from infection that may require hospital care can occur, including new or worsening asthma, severe pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain disease). M. pneumonia is a common cause of bacterial infections in people requiring hospital care for community-acquired pneumonia.

M. pneumonia Infections can occur at any age, but are most common in children ages 5 to 17 and young adults. Younger children may have different symptoms (for example, diarrhea, wheezing, or vomiting).

The number of diagnoses increased among all age groups, especially among young children

M. pneumonia infections are common, with an estimated 2 million infections per year in the United States. However, the actual number of people affected each year is unknown as there is no national reporting or dedicated surveillance system to detect these infections. M. pneumonia infections may be more common in the summer and early fall.

By 2023, M. pneumonia began to reemerge globally, following a prolonged period of low incidence of infections since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC routinely monitors emergency room care of people with pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. So far in 2024, the CDC has seen an increase in the percentage of emergency room visits for pneumonia with a discharge diagnosis of M. pneumonia.

The M. pneumonia Discharge diagnosis data from March 31 through October 5, 2024 show an increase among all age groups in the United States, peaking in August and remaining elevated. However, the increase was greatest among children. The percentage grew during that period from 1.0% to 7.2% among children aged 2 to 4 years and from 3.6% to 7.4% among children aged 5 to 17 years. The The increase in children aged 2 to 4 years is remarkable because M. pneumonia historically not recognized as one of the leading causes of pneumonia in this age group.

CDC can also look at data showing how often patients test positive M. pneumonia (i.e. test positivity). These data show that test positivity for M. pneumonia has also increased for all age groups since late spring, from 0.7% to 3.3%. This data comes from laboratory test results reported to the bioMérieux BIOFIRE® Syndromic Trends program, which tracks trends in pathogen circulation using laboratory data from across the United States.

M. pneumonia spread through respiratory droplets

M. pneumonia bacteria are spread by inhaling respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people can become infected if they inhale those droplets. Strategies that prevent respiratory viruses, such as washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes, also prevent these bacteria from spreading.

Outbreaks mainly occur in busy environments such as schools, university residences and nursing homes. Outbreaks may last longer due to:

• the long incubation period M. pneumonia, that is between one and four weeks;
• the ability of the bacteria to remain in the respiratory tract for several months; And
• the prolonged presence of symptoms such as coughing.

Most people spend a short time with someone who is sick M. pneumonia don’t get infected. However, people who spend a lot of time with someone who is sick M. pneumonia are at increased risk.

Some people are more likely to become infected than others. For example, people recovering from a respiratory illness and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of serious infections.

There are a few ways to diagnose it M. pneumonia infections

Testing for M. pneumonia infection most often occurs in emergency departments or hospitals. Less commonly, tests may be performed in outpatient settings or clinics. To test M. pneumoniahealthcare providers take a sample, often a swab from the nose or throat or, less often, a blood sample.

M. pneumonia testing typically occurs as part of a respiratory panel that tests for many pathogens, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19, and other viruses and bacteria. Healthcare providers also often physically examine the patient and look for signs of respiratory disease. If clinically indicated, they may order a chest x-ray to see if the patient has pneumonia.

Antibiotic treatment can help people who develop pneumonia

Most people with mild M. pneumonia infection will clear up on its own without medications. Over-the-counter medicines can help you feel better while you recover.

Healthcare providers may use different types of antibiotics to treat people with pneumonia M. pneumonia. M. pneumonia bacteria are natural resistant to certain antibiotics (e.g. beta-lactams such as amoxicillin) which are often used to treat other forms of bacterial pneumonia. Macrolides (e.g. azithromycin) are the first-line antibiotic treatment M. pneumonia infection. Macrolide resistant M. pneumonia remains relatively uncommon in the United States.

Identify accurately M. pneumonia infections and appropriately treating people who may be infected is complicated by unique challenges, including:

• Symptoms of M. pneumonia infections are often similar to diseases caused by other respiratory pathogens;
• Prolonged absence from diagnosis M. pneumonia infections during the COVID-19 pandemic; And
• Limited availability or use of diagnostic methods in some environments.

CDC recommendations

For doctors and healthcare professionals

• Make sure healthcare providers are aware of the increasing concern M. pneumonia infections.
• To consider M. pneumonia as a possible cause of infection in children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.
  • Have a greater suspicion of it M. pneumonia among patients with community-acquired pneumonia who do not improve clinically with antibiotics known to be ineffective against M. pneumoniasuch as beta-lactams.
• Perform laboratory tests when M. pneumonia Infection is suspected, especially in hospitalized children, to ensure appropriate antibiotic therapy is administered.
• Consider swabbing both the throat and nasopharynx to increase the likelihood of detection in respiratory swabs.
• Consider the use of a second-line antibiotic regimen, such as fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines, to treat patients with suspected or confirmed M. pneumonia infection that does not improve with macrolides.
• Promote the judicious use of antibiotics and minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance by not prescribing antibiotics unless clinical and/or laboratory evidence indicates so.
• Promote CDC recommendations for core prevention strategies to prevent respiratory illness, including practicing good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.

For the public

• Learn more about M. pneumonia symptoms such as fever, headache and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who may be at higher risk for serious illness, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.
• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent its spread M. pneumonia and other respiratory bacteria.
• Seek medical attention if you or your child have persistent or possibly worsening symptoms M. pneumonia infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or she is at higher risk of developing serious illness.