[Low prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with acute pharyngitis].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to determine the role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pediatric patients with acute pharyngitis and in a healthy control group.


METHODS
Prospective study conducted April and June 2006 of children with acute pharyngitis. M. pneumoniae infection was determined by PCR in pharyngeal exudate specimens from these patients and a healthy control group.


RESULTS
A total of 182 cases and 60 controls were enrolled. PCR for M. pneumoniae was positive in 7 cases (3.8%, 95% CI 1.5-7.7) and negative in all controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of acute pharyngitis due to M. pneumoniae is low in our setting. In healthy patients (control group) all M. pneumoniae testing by PCR was negative; therefore, the possible pathological significance of all cases of acute pharyngitis PCR-positive for M. pneumoniae should be evaluated.
Agrupació Sanitària Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, España. mariafernandez@hsjdbcn.org
María
M
Fernández de Sevilla
Josep
J
Alayeto
Yolanda
Y
Fernández
Carmen
C
Muñoz-Almagro
Carles
C
Luaces
Juan José
JJ
García-García
D000208:Acute Disease; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes