Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objectives : - To find out incidence of mycoplasma infection among children with respiratory tract infections and also to find out any seasonal pattern, complications and response to different antimicrobial agents. Design: - Prospective study. Setting: - University Paediatric Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle. Method: - Children presented with lower respiratory tract infections to the out patients department or admitted to University Paediatric Unit were investigated for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Clinical features, complications, response to different antibiotics were documented. Study period was November 1999 to October 2002. Results: - Nineteen out of 105 patients studied during November 1999 to October 2000 had M. pneumoniae infection. During November 2000 to October 2001, 260 patients were investigated for M. pneumoniae infection. 46 patients were confirmed as M. pneumoniae infection. There were 144 children investigated for M. pneumoniae infection during November 2001 to October 2002. 48 patients were positive for mycoplasma infection. Conclusion: - According to the results M. pneumoniae infection seem to be a common causative agent in children with lower respiratory tract infections.