SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Non-Pharmacologic Interventions Temporally Associated with Reduced Pediatric Infections Due toMycoplasma pneumoniaeand Co-Infecting Respiratory Viruses in Arkansas

Abstract

IntroductionNon-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs), such as universal masking, implemented during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have reduced respiratory infections among children. This study focuses on evaluating the impact of NPIs onMycoplasma pneumoniaeinfections in children, analyzing data from two hospitals in Arkansas, and examining age-related differences and coinfections with other viruses.MethodsThe study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and included patients aged ≤18 years with upper respiratory tract symptoms. Data from the FilmArray® Respiratory Panel (FARP) were collected and divided into pre-NPI and NPI periods for analysis. Total test positivity rate and interval change in the positivity rate were evaluated. Statistical differences were determined by Chi-square (χ2-independence) analysis.ResultsA total of 68,949 tests were performed with a statistical increase in testing during the NPI period. The overall test positivity rate forM. pneumoniaedecreased by 74% (0.86% to 0.03%) during the NPI period, and the preschool age group had the highest number of positive tests in the pre- and NPI periods (Pre-NPI: n=40, NPI: n=12 positive tests, p=<0.001). The reduction inM. pneumoniaeinfections was consistent across age groups. Coinfections with other respiratory viruses, particularly human rhinovirus/enterovirus, were observed at much lower levels.ConclusionsNPIs effectively reducedM. pneumoniaein pediatric patients in Arkansas, and coinfections with specific viruses still occurred, albeit at lower levels during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. As NPIs are relaxed and the pandemic ends, we expectM. pneumoniaeinfections to return to pre-pandemic levels within the next 1-2 years.