The objective of this study was to describe the rates and impact of bacterial and viral co-infections of hospitalized children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The clinical characteristics, hospital expenses, and differences between single and co-infection MPP were explored. This study included 5,009 children from 2010 to 2014. Infections with various pathogens were identified by the following tests: positive specimens' culture, direct immunofluorescent antigen test for viruses, mycoplasma or chlamydia detection. The results indicated that 13.6% of them showed positive results, including bacterial pathogens in 2.5% of cases and viral pathogens in 9.8% of cases. The most commonly identified bacteria was Streptococcus pneumonia. Influenza and parainfluenza were the most commonly identified virus. Hospitalization expenses of patients with single infections were less than those who with co-infections. In conclusion, co-infections were more common in recent years. In severe MPP, rates of co-infection were higher than non-severe MPP. The longer the course of infection, the higher the co-infection rate.
Keywords: Mycoplasma pneumonia; bacterial; children; co-infection; virus.