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NEW DELHI: AIIMS, Delhi has detected Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the bacteria linked to the recent surge in cases of respiratory illness (pneumonia) among children in China, in seven samples between April and September this year.
According to a report published in ‘Lancet Microbe’, one case was detected through PCR test carried out at early stages of the infection and six cases detected through IgM Elisa test that can be carried even at later stages.The positivity rate of the PCR and IgM Elisa test was 3% and 16% respectively, according to the report.
AIIMS Delhi is part of a global consortium to monitor the spread of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Dr Rama Chaudhry, former head of the department of microbiology at AIIMS Delhi and member of the consortium told TOI that M pneomoniae is known to cause 15-20% of community acquired pneumonia. “Pneumonia caused by this bacterium is usually mild, that’s why it is also referred to as ‘walking pneumonia’. But severe cases can also happen,” said Dr Chaudhry, who is currently Dean (Research) at NIMS, Jaipur.
She stressed that India needs to expand surveillance for detection of Mycoplasma pneumonia. Currently, surveillance is being done only at AIIMS, Delhi and a few other centres.
The Lancet report says that in countries where M pneumoniae has re-emerged, case numbers are comparable to pre-pandemic (endemic) numbers. “The further development of re-emergence should be monitored to evaluate whether case numbers will escalate to epidemic levels or result in an exceptionally large wave of infections as was observed for the resurgence of other pathogens,” it said.
“The progression and severity of re-emergence are difficult to predict and whether it will lead to an increase in rare cases of severe disease and extrapulmonary manifestations because of the previously reduced exposure remains unknown,” the report said. It adds that infections occur year-round.
According to a report published in ‘Lancet Microbe’, one case was detected through PCR test carried out at early stages of the infection and six cases detected through IgM Elisa test that can be carried even at later stages.The positivity rate of the PCR and IgM Elisa test was 3% and 16% respectively, according to the report.
AIIMS Delhi is part of a global consortium to monitor the spread of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Dr Rama Chaudhry, former head of the department of microbiology at AIIMS Delhi and member of the consortium told TOI that M pneomoniae is known to cause 15-20% of community acquired pneumonia. “Pneumonia caused by this bacterium is usually mild, that’s why it is also referred to as ‘walking pneumonia’. But severe cases can also happen,” said Dr Chaudhry, who is currently Dean (Research) at NIMS, Jaipur.
She stressed that India needs to expand surveillance for detection of Mycoplasma pneumonia. Currently, surveillance is being done only at AIIMS, Delhi and a few other centres.
The Lancet report says that in countries where M pneumoniae has re-emerged, case numbers are comparable to pre-pandemic (endemic) numbers. “The further development of re-emergence should be monitored to evaluate whether case numbers will escalate to epidemic levels or result in an exceptionally large wave of infections as was observed for the resurgence of other pathogens,” it said.
“The progression and severity of re-emergence are difficult to predict and whether it will lead to an increase in rare cases of severe disease and extrapulmonary manifestations because of the previously reduced exposure remains unknown,” the report said. It adds that infections occur year-round.
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