Mycoplasma pneumoniae Epidemiology in England and Wales: A National Perspective

Abstract

Investigations of patients with suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection have been undertaken in England since the early 1970s. M. pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen that is a common cause of pneumonia and may cause serious sequelae such as encephalitis and has been documented in children with persistent cough. The pathogen is found in all age groups, with higher prevalence in children aged 5–14 years. In England, recurrent epidemic periods have occurred at ~4-yearly intervals. In addition, low-level sporadic infection occurs with seasonal peaks from December to February. Voluntarily reports from regional laboratories and hospitals in England from 1975 to 2015 were collated by Public Health England for epidemiological analysis. Further data pertaining cases of note and specimens submitted to Public Health England from 2005 to 2015 for confirmation, molecular typing is included.

Positively interacting strains that circulate in a network structured population induce cycling epidemics of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

“…MP infection generally tends to occur more frequently during the summer and autumn months when other respiratory pathogens are less prevalent; but the disease incidence does not appear to be related to season or geography (Waites and Talkington 2004; Winchell, 2013). For example, we also notice that MP infections have been observed to occur more frequently in winter months in England and Wales (Chalker et al ., 2011; Brown et al ., 2016). Epidemics of MP tend to occur every 3-7 years in the general population (Chalker et al ., 2011; Jacobs, 2012; Brown et al ., 2016).…”

“…For example, we also notice that MP infections have been observed to occur more frequently in winter months in England and Wales (Chalker et al ., 2011; Brown et al ., 2016). Epidemics of MP tend to occur every 3-7 years in the general population (Chalker et al ., 2011; Jacobs, 2012; Brown et al ., 2016). Analysis of laboratory reports of MP infections in England and Wales from 1975 to 2009 (Nguipdop-Djomo et al ., 2013) has indicated that these epidemics last on average 18 months occurring at approximately four yearly intervals.…”

Changes in Molecular Characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Clinical Specimens from Children in Beijing between 2003 and 2015

“…, and after the last epidemic around 2012, there were significant increases in the number of M . pneumoniae -associated pneumonia cases reported in 2015 in China, Japan, England, and Wales [3,4,5]. , there may be another new epidemic started in 2015.…”

Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion: report of two pediatric cases and a comprehensive literature review

“…Mycoplasma pneumoniae ( M.pneumoniae ) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), accounting for 15–20 % of CAP cases in adults and up to 40 % of cases in children, especially in those aged 5–14 years [6]. M.pneumoniae -associated encephalitis is a common cause of encephalitis in children, occurring in 0.1 cases per 100,000 populations of ≤19 years of age and in 3.2–7.0 % of patients with M.pneumoniae infection [7–10], of which up to 64 % of cases have neurological sequelae [8, 9].…”