BackgroundMycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with CAP and find clinical, radiological and laboratory features helpful to diagnose Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Furthermore, we evaluated the value of serology, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and culture for the accurate diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.MethodsThe study included 166 children aged between 1 and 15 years with radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Throat swab specimens were cultured and assessed by RT-PCR for the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgM and IgG antibodies were determined using ELISA in paired sera.ResultsMycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia was diagnosed in 14.5% CAP cases. Cough (p=0.029), headache (p=0.001) and wheezing (p=0.036) were more frequent in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia compared to children with pneumonia caused by other pathogens. Logistic regression analysis showed that headache (odds ratio [OR] =36.077, p=0.001) and wheezing (OR=5.681, p=0.003) were significantly associated with MP pneumonia. Neither radiological findings, nor common laboratory parameters distinguished Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with CAP. Using IgG serology in paired sera as the gold standard, we found that sensitivity of IgM serology, RT-PCR and culture was equal (81.82%), while specificity values were 100%, 98.6% and 100% respectively. We observed that combination of IgM detection in acute-phase serum and RT-PCR was positive for 91.7% of cases with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.ConclusionsThere are no characteristic radiological findings, or routine laboratory tests that would distinguish CAP caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae from other CAP. It was found that clinical features such as headache and wheezing are indicative for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Furthermore, it was found that during the acute phase of disease, detection of IgM antibodies in combination with RT-PCR allows for precise and reliable diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children.

This study together with others clearly confirm the effectiveness of educational intervention for childhood asthma.

Our results show significantly increased serum level of IL-10 in children with MPP, which was significantly higher in children with wheezing. These findings may suggest a role of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of MPP and in the occurrence of wheezing during acute MP infection.

All parents should be educated about asthma regardless of their general education.

Table of contentsWORKSHOP 4: Challenging clinical scenarios (CS01–CS06)CS01 Bullous lesions in two children: solitary mastocytomaS. Tolga Yavuz, Ozan Koc, Ali Gungor, Faysal GokCS02 Multi-System Allergy (MSA) of cystic fibrosis: our institutional experienceJessica Hawley, Christopher O’Brien, Matthew Thomas, Malcolm Brodlie, Louise MichaelisCS03 Cold urticaria in pediatric age: an invisible cause for severe reactionsInês Mota, Ângela Gaspar, Susana Piedade, Graça Sampaio, José Geraldo Dias, Miguel Paiva, Mário Morais-AlmeidaCS04 Angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency in a girl: a challenge diagnosisCristina Madureira, Tânia Lopes, Susana Lopes, Filipa Almeida, Alexandra Sequeira, Fernanda Carvalho, José OliveiraCS05 A child with unusual multiple organ allergy disease: what is the primer?Fabienne Gay-CrosierCS06 A case of uncontrolled asthma in a 6-year-old patientIoana-Valentina Nenciu, Andreia Florina Nita, Alexandru Ulmeanu, Dumitru Oraseanu, Carmen ZapucioiuORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 1: Food allergy (OP01–OP06)OP01 Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: oral food challenge outcomes for tolerance evaluation in a Pediatric HospitalAdrianna Machinena, Olga Domínguez Sánchez, Montserrat Alvaro Lozano, Rosa Jimenez Feijoo, Jaime Lozano Blasco, Mònica Piquer Gibert, Mª Teresa Giner Muñoz, Marcia Dias da Costa, Ana Maria Plaza MartínOP02 Characteristics of infants with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and allergic proctocolitisEbru Arik Yilmaz, Özlem Cavkaytar, Betul Buyuktiryaki, Ozge Soyer, Cansin SackesenOP03 The clinical and immunological outcomes after consumption of baked egg by 1–5 year old egg allergic children: results of a randomised controlled trialMerrynNetting, Adaweyah El-Merhibi, Michael Gold, PatrickQuinn, IrmeliPenttila, Maria MakridesOP04 Oral immunotherapy for treatment of egg allergy using low allergenic, hydrolysed eggStavroula Giavi, Antonella Muraro, Roger Lauener, Annick Mercenier, Eugen Bersuch, Isabella M. Montagner, Maria Passioti, Nicolò Celegato, Selina Summermatter, Sophie Nutten, Tristan Bourdeau, Yvonne M. Vissers, Nikolaos G. PapadopoulosOP05 Chemical modification of a peanut extract results in an increased safety profile while maintaining efficacyHanneke van der Kleij, Hans Warmenhoven, Ronald van Ree, Raymond Pieters, Dirk Jan Opstelten, Hans van Schijndel, Joost SmitOP06 Administration of the yellow fever vaccine in egg allergic childrenRoisin Fitzsimons, Victoria Timms, George Du ToitORAL ABSTRACT SESSION 2: Asthma (OP07–OP12)OP07 Previous exacerbation is the most important risk factor for future exacerbations in school-age children with asthmaS. Tolga Yavuz, Guven Kaya, Mustafa Gulec, Mehmet Saldir, Osman Sener, Faysal GokOP08 Comparative study of degree of severity and laboratory changes between asthmatic children using different acupuncture modalitiesNagwa Hassan, Hala Shaaban, Hazem El-Hariri, Ahmed Kamel Inas E. MahfouzOP09 The concentration of exhaled carbon monoxide in asthmatic children with different controlled stadiumPapp Gabor, Biro Gabor, Kovacs CsabaOP10 ...