Detection of Atypical Bacteria, Including Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, British Columbia, Canada, 2013-2023.

BACKGROUND

Global reports suggest heightened Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) activity during the fall of 2023. However, it is unclear how testing strategy changes and preventative measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced these conclusions. The objective of this study was to summarize the effects of implementing a new respiratory testing method (Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel [RPP]) on the rate of detection of three types of atypical bacteria (AB) (Mp, Legionella pneumophila [Lp], and Chlamydophila pneumoniae [Cp]) in British Columbia (BC), as well as to summarize case detections throughout the province during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to determine if there were emerging concerns regarding Mp infections in BC as seen in other jurisdictions.

METHODS

We analyzed 2013-2023 laboratory testing data from the provincial lab in BC, divided into periods before syndromic testing, after syndromic testing was implemented (via xTAG RPP), during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the pandemic.

RESULTS

Following introduction of the Luminex NxTAG RPP, detection of Mp and Cp cases increased 11-fold and 4-fold, respectively, while Lp detection was not significantly affected. Relatively few cases of Mp were recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, although following relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures, Mp resurgent activity was observed that remained within expected levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of AB in BC increased following implementation of the Luminex NxTAG RPP, decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned to seasonal circulation after the pandemic.