AIIMS Delhi reports positive cases of M pneumoniae in seven samples
AIIMS Delhi has detected Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the bacteria responsible for a recent surge in respiratory illness cases among children in China, in seven samples between April and September this year. The positivity rate of the PCR and IgM Elisa tests was 3% and 16% respectively. The bacteria is known to cause 15-20% of community-acquired pneumonia, with mild cases referred to as "walking pneumonia." India needs to expand surveillance for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as currently, surveillance is only being done at AIIMS Delhi and a few other centers. The Lancet report highlights the need to monitor the re-emergence of the bacteria and its potential impact on case numbers and severity.