Overview of the epidemic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection around COVID pandemic

Abstract

AbstractMycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a cell wall‐less respiratory pathogen causing community‐acquired pneumonia and extrapulmonary manifestations. It is transmitted through close contact and shows periodic regional outbreaks. The coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic interfered with the global spread of M. pneumoniae. A large‐scale post‐COVID outbreak is currently ongoing in China. To help physicians better understand and manage this epidemic, we provide this review summarizing current knowledge on the pathogenesis, epidemic characteristics, macrolide resistance, diagnostic methods, and clinical treatment strategies for this pathogen.