Global pattern and prevention strategies of Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma infections: JAMA

Researchers from Japan conducted a study on the Global trends of Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma Pneumonia (MRMP) infections and a proposed few prevention strategies for MRMP infections. The findings were published in the journal, JAMA Network Open, 2022.  

Mycoplasma Pneumonia is the most common cause of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. Recent evidence shows the increasing trends of refractory M. pneumonia infections. The proportion of infections caused by macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has changed and varies by geographical region. So, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the global patterns, and understand the temporal trends, regional variations, and variant types. 

Observational studies were collected from databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase using a search strategy from inception till September 2021. Two authors independently screened the proportion of MRMP infections. Two reviewers independently extracted data and duplicated it. Any instance of M pneumoniae infection that tested positive for any variant linked to macrolide resistance and discovered using respiratory samples was considered to have MRMP infection. The extracted data were subjected to PRISMA guidelines and Random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate the proportion of MRMP infections. The main outcome of measurement was estimating the global patterns and investigating the temporal trends, and variant types of MRMP infection with regional differences. 

Results: 

• 153 studies from 150 articles (27 408 samples in 26 countries) were included in the meta-analysis.
• An increasing trend with regional differences was seen in the global patterns of MRMP infections.
• The proportion of MRMP infections was highest in the Western Pacific regions, followed by the South East Asian region, the region of the Americas, and the European region.
• The most commonly identified variant of MRMP infection was A2063G, followed by A2064G.
• The proportion of MRMP infections was the highest in studies including only children, followed by those including only adults and those including both children and adults. 

Thus, to reduce the illness burden, the researchers suggested strategies to stop the spread of and treat MRMP infections, in the study. They also analyzed the global trends in the proportion of MRMP infections. 

For the full article, click here: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.20949

Kim K, Jung S, Kim M, Park S, Yang H, Lee E. Global Trends in the Proportion of Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(7):e2220949.