title: Mycoplasma pneumoniae Epidemiology in England and Wales: A National Perspective.
abstract: Investigations of patients with suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection have been undertaken in England since the early 1970s. M. pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen that is a common cause of pneumonia and may cause serious sequelae such as encephalitis and has been documented in children with persistent cough. The pathogen is found in all age groups, with higher prevalence in children aged 5-14 years. In England, recurrent epidemic periods have occurred at ~4-yearly intervals. In addition, low-level sporadic infection occurs with seasonal peaks from December to February. Voluntarily reports from regional laboratories and hospitals in England from 1975 to 2015 were collated by Public Health England for epidemiological analysis. Further data pertaining cases of note and specimens submitted to Public Health England from 2005 to 2015 for confirmation, molecular typing is included.
authors.affiliation: Public Health EnglandLondon, UK; Department of Child Health, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff University School of MedicineCardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguipdop-Djomo
authors.affiliation: Public Health England London, UK.
authors.forename: Hongxin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Public Health England London, UK.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff University School of Medicine Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: O Brad
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Spiller
authors.affiliation: Public Health England London, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Chalker
keywords: England; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; epidemiology; microbiology; wales