Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the post COVID-19 era: Diagnostic challenges and rising macrolide resistance

Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MPN) is a major pathogen of community-acquired respiratory tract infections in school-age children with cyclic epidemics occurring every few years. Circulation of this pathogen declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic but has re-emerged in many regions since 2023. Macrolides are the drugs of choice for treatment of MPN infections. While macrolide resistance in MPN exceeds 90% in Eastern Asia, it remains low in the U.S. prior to the COVID-19.

This presentation will discuss the epidemiologic trends associated with post-pandemic resurgence of MPN, review current diagnostic strategies for MPN infections, and summarize treatment considerations and emerging data on macrolide resistance in the post–COVID-19 era.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the epidemiology and clinical presentation of M. pneumoniae infection 

2. Review the laboratory diagnostic approaches for M. pneumoniae infections 

3. Discuss treatment and macrolide resistance