[News Terms] 'Mycoplasma Pneumonia' in China Triggering Antibiotic Stockpiling

Recently, the number of children with Mycoplasma pneumonia has significantly increased across China, and signs of an outbreak are also emerging domestically, prompting health authorities to closely monitor the situation. It has been reported that around 100 children and adolescents diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumonia are consistently visiting hospitals each week with cold symptoms during the changing seasons.

Acute respiratory infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae occur when the Mycoplasma bacteria (a pathogen with characteristics between viruses and bacteria) invade the respiratory tract. Infection spreads through droplets expelled by patients' coughs or sneezes, with an incubation period averaging 2 to 3 weeks. Although it occurs year-round, it mainly spreads from late autumn to early spring and accounts for 10 to 30% of all pneumonia cases, making it a common respiratory infection. In Korea, outbreaks have typically occurred every 3 to 4 years since the first reported epidemic in 1987, with patient numbers surging in 2014?2016 and 2019.

Trend of Mycoplasma Pneumonia Patients in Korea [Data from Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

Mycoplasma pneumonia mainly affects infants and young children, usually accompanied by a fever over 38℃ and severe coughing, with a cough producing sputum lasting about 3 to 4 weeks. Symptoms resemble those of a cold, but a high fever lasting more than 5 days, prolonged coughing and sputum, and lack of improvement despite using general antibiotics and antipyretics are characteristic. Especially when infants and young children infected with Mycoplasma are co-infected with other viruses, pneumonia symptoms can worsen, potentially leading to complications such as pneumonia, lung abscess, emphysema, bronchiectasis, or lasting aftereffects.

There is no preventive vaccine for Mycoplasma pneumonia. However, even if infected, most cases are completely treated without hospitalization by using special antibiotics from the macrolide class. Recently, as Mycoplasma pneumonia became epidemic in China, hoarding of the macrolide antibiotic 'Azithromycin' occurred. Consequently, the stock price of Kukje Pharm, which produces 'Azithromycin tablets' containing azithromycin domestically, also hit the upper limit. However, worldwide, the emergence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae strains resistant to macrolide antibiotics has also been reported.

Experts recommend that to prevent Mycoplasma pneumonia, individuals should strictly follow personal hygiene rules such as proper handwashing and wearing masks, similar to measures against COVID-19 and influenza. Additionally, if infected, care should be taken to avoid spreading droplets, and during the acute phase of symptoms, it is advisable to rest as much as possible and avoid contact with others.