title: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia spp. infection in community-acquired pneumonia, Germany, 2011-2012.
abstract: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia spp., which are associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), are difficult to propagate, and can cause clinically indistinguishable disease patterns. During 2011-2012, we used molecular methods to test adult patients in Germany with confirmed CAP for infection with these 2 pathogens. Overall, 12.3% (96/783) of samples were positive for M. pneumoniae and 3.9% (31/794) were positive for Chlamydia spp.; C. psittaci (2.1%) was detected more frequently than C. pneumoniae (1.4%). M. pneumoniae P1 type 1 predominated, and levels of macrolide resistance were low (3.1%). Quarterly rates of M. pneumoniae-positive samples ranged from 1.5% to 27.3%, showing a strong epidemic peak for these infections, but of Chlamydia spp. detection was consistent throughout the year. M. pneumoniae-positive patients were younger and more frequently female, had fewer co-occurring conditions, and experienced milder disease than did patients who tested negative. Clinicians should be aware of the epidemiology of these pathogens in CAP.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dumke
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schnee
authors.forename: Mathias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Pletz
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Enno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sachse
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rohde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D061387:Chlamydial Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult