Clinical Significance of Pleural Effusion in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children

Abstract

The clinical significance of pleural effusion in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia in children has not yet been elucidated. Herein, we investigated the clinical implications of pleural effusion in children with MP pneumonia. Overall, 150 children with MP pneumonia transferred to a tertiary hospital were enrolled in this study. Information on their clinical, laboratory, and radiological features was retrospectively obtained from medical chart reviews. In total, 24 (16.0%) children had pleural effusion at the time of admission. The duration of fever and length of hospitalization were significantly longer in the pleural effusion group than in the non-pleural effusion group. A significantly higher proportion of individuals in the pleural effusion group had a poor response to stepwise treatment for MP pneumonia. The mean C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in the pleural effusion group than in the non-pleural effusion group at admission. The prevalence of severe pneumonia, defined on the basis of the extent of pneumonic lesions on chest radiography, was higher in the pleural effusion group than in the non-pleural effusion group. However, there was no significant intergroup difference in the proportion of macrolide-resistant MP cases or respiratory viral coinfections. The presence of pleural effusion in children with MP pneumonia indicated a more severe clinical course and poor treatment response. The results of the present study would help in the creation of a therapeutic plan and prediction of the clinical course of MP pneumonia in children.

Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumonia: The Radiographic Patterns and Review of the Literature

“…In the current study, pleural effusion that regressed with treatment in amounts not requiring drainage was found at rates close to those reported in the literature (18 %). Kim et al showed that pleural effusion in MP pneumonia was associated with a more severe clinical course depending on the size of the pulmonary lesions [27]. Similarly, in the current study, pleural effusion was detected in all patients with consolidation, while pleural effusion was not observed in patients with peribronchovascular infiltration and reticulonodular infiltration.…”

Clinical and blood gas characteristics of mycoplasmal pleural effusion and tuberculous pleural effusion in pediatric patients: a retrospective case-control study

“…Some studies have found that, older age and prolonged duration of fever were associated with the development of pleural effusion in in children with MP pneumonia. In addition, mechanical ventilation, severe pneumonia, and lack of response to conventional MP pneumonia treatment were signi cantly associated with MP-PPE [14]. The results of the present study showed that the duration of fever and cough before admission was signi cantly longer in the MP-PPE group than in the TPE group.…”

“…Another study found that patients with MP pneumonia with pleural effusion had a larger surface area of lesion involvement on chest radiography at admission [51]. Therefore, most studies have suggested that pleural effusion in MP pneumonia indicates a severe lesion on chest radiography and prolonged absorption [14]. Previous studies have reported that most children with tuberculous pleural effusion are involved in one lung and less in two side [52].However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have compared the degree of MP-PPE lesion involvement with that of TPE lesion involvement.…”

Study on the Correlation Between the Expression of NF-Ƙb in the Alveolar Lavage Fluid of Children with Severe Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia, Its Clinical Characteristics, and Cellular Immunity

“…Concurrently, the BAL treatment could eliminate a degree of MP and inflammatory factors, which may shorten the course of the fever. Kim Sh et al 21 found that children with pleural effusion had more lung consolidation, higher CRP levels, and their fever lasted longer.…”