The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the epidemiological characteristics and macrolide resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children during COVID-19 in single centre.

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 (χ²•=. 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%) (χ² = 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.