Mycoplasma pneumonias distribution, epidemiology and prevalence in a triennial survey.

OBJECTIVES. To evaluate: (1) the incidence of pneumonia monthly distribution; (2) the rate of pneumonitis due to Mycoplasma Pneumoniae; (3) the suitability of choosing an empirical-based antibiotic-therapy; (4) the need of a critical revision of Mycoplasma serological data. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We studied 188 patients admitted to the Palermo University Pediatrics Department, from september 1998 to august 2001, with admission diagnosis of pneumonia. RESULTS. The highest incidence of pneumonia was in december and march as in both months 28 cases occurred in the whole period 1998-2001 (average of 9.3 cases per each month). The highest rate of pneumonias by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae was in may with a total number of 11/21 cases (52.3%, average of 3.67 cases per month) in the above mentioned three-year period. CONCLUSIONS. Incidence of Mycoplasma pneumonitis is more represented in subjects that are at school age. Our study confirms the enormous variability of the prevalence of the infection by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and how difficult it is to make an accurate diagnosis lacking standardized, rapid, specific and comparative methods