The impact of atopy on the clinical characteristics of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients

Abstract

Abstract Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is one of the pathogens that cause community-acquired pneumonia in children. Atopic diseases are also common in children. However, the impact of atopy on Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of atopy on the clinical characteristics of MPP in children, and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. A total of 489 children hospitalized for MPP in our hospital from June 2023 to December 2023 were selected. They were divided into an atopic group (n = 172) and a non-atopic group (n = 317) based on whether they had atopy or not. Clinical data, treatment regimens, and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. Eosinophil count, lactate dehydrogenase and IgE levels were higher in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group. Additionally, neutrophil percentage, procalcitonin levels were lower in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group (P < 0.05). The proportion of bronchiolitis type on lung imaging was higher in the atopic group, and there was a higher incidence of severe pneumonia compared to the non-atopic group (P < 0.05). Atopy may lead to severe MPP and bronchiolitis-type MPP. Therefore, the treatment and prognosis of these children should be given more attention.