Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in hospitalized children with pneumonia in Laos
Vilivong K., Mayxay M., Dance DAB., De Lamballerie X., Newton PN., Dubot-Pérès A.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been described worldwide as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia. From December 2013 to December 2014, 461 children admitted to Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos, with acute respiratory infection were investigated for upper respiratory microorganisms using probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (FTD33). M. pneumoniae was detected by FTD33 in the upper respiratory tract of three patients, two girls and one boy, 5.7 and 3.9 years old and 13.6 years old, respectively. They presented with clinical features compatible with M. pneumoniae infection. They improved without M. pneumoniae directed therapy. The two girls were also positive for other potential pathogens. The boy had abnormal pulmonary auscultation, and one of the girls had significant anaemia. These results suggest that enhancement of diagnostic systems for M. pneumoniae detection is needed to improve understanding of the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae infection in Laos.