SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas
ABSTRACTNon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as universal masking, implemented during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have reduced respiratory infections among children. This study evaluated the impact of NPIs on Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children, analyzing data from two hospitals in Arka...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Spectrum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02908-23 |
| _version_ | 1797228822330867712 |
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| author | Bobby L. Boyanton Rachel A. Frenner Ashton Ingold Lilliam Ambroggio Joshua L. Kennedy |
| author_facet | Bobby L. Boyanton Rachel A. Frenner Ashton Ingold Lilliam Ambroggio Joshua L. Kennedy |
| author_sort | Bobby L. Boyanton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTNon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as universal masking, implemented during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have reduced respiratory infections among children. This study evaluated the impact of NPIs on Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children, analyzing data from two hospitals in Arkansas and examining age-related differences and co-infections with other respiratory viruses. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and included patients (≤18 years) with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Data generated from the FilmArray Respiratory Panel were divided into pre-NPI, NPI, and post-NPI periods for analysis. Overall test positivity rate and positivity rate interval changes were evaluated. Statistical differences were determined by Chi-square (χ2 independence) analysis. A total of 100,077 tests were performed, with a statistical increase in testing volume during the NPI and post-NPI periods. The number of positive M. pneumoniae tests decreased by 77% (77 to 18) during the NPI period, then increased by 50% (18 to 27) during the post-NPI period. Preschool and elementary school age groups had the highest number of positive tests during the study at 59 (48%) and 40 (33%), respectively. Reduced M. pneumoniae infections were consistent across age groups. Co-infections with other respiratory viruses, particularly human rhinovirus/enterovirus, were observed at much lower levels. Pediatric M. pneumoniae infections in Arkansas were temporally associated with implementation and discontinuation of NPIs. Specific viral co-infections still occurred, albeit at lower levels during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Because of the slower growth of this bacterium, we expect M. pneumoniae infections to return to pre-pandemic levels within approximately 2 years.IMPORTANCENon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs) effectively curtailed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and, fortuitously, many other aerosol-transmitted respiratory pathogens. This study included the largest data set of symptomatic, pediatric patients from within the United States spanning a period from November 2017 through December 2023, and encompassed individuals residing in both rural and urban settings. We observed a strong correlation between the implementation and cessation of NPIs with the rate of respiratory infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viral co-infections. These infections are returning to baseline levels approximately 2 years following NPI cessation. This observation was not unexpected since the replication time for viruses is exponentially faster than that of bacteria. The resurgence of M. pneumoniae and likely other atypical bacterial pathogens is currently in process. Healthcare providers should strongly consider these pathogens in individuals presenting with respiratory tract illnesses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T15:02:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d2fcd2bea774618b85955db740d9c51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2165-0497 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T15:02:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiology Spectrum |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d2fcd2bea774618b85955db740d9c512024-04-02T14:16:19ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyMicrobiology Spectrum2165-04972024-04-0112410.1128/spectrum.02908-23SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in ArkansasBobby L. Boyanton0Rachel A. Frenner1Ashton Ingold2Lilliam Ambroggio3Joshua L. Kennedy4Department of Pathology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, USADepartment of Pathology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, USAArkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USASections of Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USAArkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas, USAABSTRACTNon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as universal masking, implemented during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have reduced respiratory infections among children. This study evaluated the impact of NPIs on Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children, analyzing data from two hospitals in Arkansas and examining age-related differences and co-infections with other respiratory viruses. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and included patients (≤18 years) with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Data generated from the FilmArray Respiratory Panel were divided into pre-NPI, NPI, and post-NPI periods for analysis. Overall test positivity rate and positivity rate interval changes were evaluated. Statistical differences were determined by Chi-square (χ2 independence) analysis. A total of 100,077 tests were performed, with a statistical increase in testing volume during the NPI and post-NPI periods. The number of positive M. pneumoniae tests decreased by 77% (77 to 18) during the NPI period, then increased by 50% (18 to 27) during the post-NPI period. Preschool and elementary school age groups had the highest number of positive tests during the study at 59 (48%) and 40 (33%), respectively. Reduced M. pneumoniae infections were consistent across age groups. Co-infections with other respiratory viruses, particularly human rhinovirus/enterovirus, were observed at much lower levels. Pediatric M. pneumoniae infections in Arkansas were temporally associated with implementation and discontinuation of NPIs. Specific viral co-infections still occurred, albeit at lower levels during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Because of the slower growth of this bacterium, we expect M. pneumoniae infections to return to pre-pandemic levels within approximately 2 years.IMPORTANCENon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs) effectively curtailed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and, fortuitously, many other aerosol-transmitted respiratory pathogens. This study included the largest data set of symptomatic, pediatric patients from within the United States spanning a period from November 2017 through December 2023, and encompassed individuals residing in both rural and urban settings. We observed a strong correlation between the implementation and cessation of NPIs with the rate of respiratory infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and viral co-infections. These infections are returning to baseline levels approximately 2 years following NPI cessation. This observation was not unexpected since the replication time for viruses is exponentially faster than that of bacteria. The resurgence of M. pneumoniae and likely other atypical bacterial pathogens is currently in process. Healthcare providers should strongly consider these pathogens in individuals presenting with respiratory tract illnesses.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02908-23severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2COVID-19infection controlsocial distancinguniversal maskingNPI |
| spellingShingle | Bobby L. Boyanton Rachel A. Frenner Ashton Ingold Lilliam Ambroggio Joshua L. Kennedy SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas Microbiology Spectrum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 COVID-19 infection control social distancing universal masking NPI |
| title | SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas |
| title_full | SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas |
| title_fullStr | SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas |
| title_full_unstemmed | SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas |
| title_short | SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas |
| title_sort | sars cov 2 pandemic non pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to mycoplasma pneumoniae and co infecting respiratory viruses in arkansas |
| topic | severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 COVID-19 infection control social distancing universal masking NPI |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02908-23 |
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