Background and objectives: Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MR-MP) have been reported worldwide. Strategies for the treatment of MR-MP are a key focus of research. The GENECUBE® is a novel, fully automated rapid genetic analyzer. The goals of this study were to assess the macrolide sensitivity of M. pneumoniae (MP) isolates by analyzing 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences using a GENECUBE®-based system and to determine the validity of this system in determining clinical treatment options for MP pneumonia.
Methods: This was an observational retrospective study including 150 children with MP pneumonia. We used quenching probe polymerase chain reaction (Q-probe PCR) as implemented in the GENECUBE® system to detect macrolide resistance-causing mutations in the MP 23S rRNA gene. We compared the duration of fever between patients receiving initial empirical antibiotic treatment (Empirical T group) and those receiving treatment after Q-probe PCR (PCR First group) diagnosis.
Results: Selecting antibiotic treatment after Q-probe PCR significantly shortened the duration of fever compared to empirical antibiotic treatment (PCR First group, median: 6.0 days [n = 32]; Empirical T group, median: 7.5 days [n = 66]; p = 0.002). Comparison of macrolide sensitivity using Q-probe PCR and clinical diagnosis showed that the reliability of Q-probe PCR was nearly validated for macrolide sensitivity.
Conclusion: Q-probe PCR as implemented by GENECUBE® is a useful tool for the diagnosis of MP pneumonia and enables optimization of the selection of antibiotics in order to rapidly improve the clinical course of disease.