Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an Iranian Pediatric Sample with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Background: To the best of our knowledge, the prevalence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRM) in Iranian children has not been investigated. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MRM in Iranian children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: A total of 222 children with CAP, aged 3 - 15 years, who were hospitalized in 10 different children's hospitals, were enrolled in this study. Mycoplasmas were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The severity of CAP was evaluated according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines. The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured by the particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay. Additionally, the chest X-rays of children with CAP were recorded and sent to a radiologist for further evaluation. Results: Twenty-one children (9.4%) diagnosed with CAP also had M. pneumoniae infection, 17 (77.27%) of whom were positive for A2063G transition and high-level macrolide resistance. The severity of CAP (P ≥ 0.99), CRP level (0.07), and chest X-ray changes (P = 0.08) were not significantly different between children with MRM pneumonia and those with macrolide-susceptible M. pneumoniae. Conclusions: The prevalence of high-level MRM pneumonia in children is high in Iran, similar to other Asian countries. However, this type of Mycoplasma infection was not associated with the severity of CAP and did not have significant effects on chest X-ray (CXR) changes or the CRP level in the patients.