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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Mycoplasma pneumoniae Transmission in Henan, China

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University investigated the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the transmission of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MPC) among children under 18 years in Henan Province, China. The study analyzed data from January 2017 to December 2024, categorizing the COVID-19 timeline into pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic stages. The results showed that the positivity rate of MPC was significantly influenced by NPIs, with the highest positivity rate in 2023 and the lowest in 2022. The MRMP rate increased from 36.68% in 2018 to 87.16% in 2023, indicating a significant influence of COVID-19 NPIs on the transmission of MPC.

Key Takeaways:

  • The positivity rate of MPC among children under 18 years in Henan Province, China was 28.36%, with the highest positivity rate in 2023 (35.01%) and the lowest in 2022 (12.56%).
  • The positivity rate of MPC was greatest in the 6-17 year age group (41.08%) and lowest in the 1 year age group (12.38%).
  • Epidemic seasons were predominantly in autumn (36.71%) and winter (23.12%), with a significant increase in MRMP rate from 36.68% in 2018 to 87.16% in 2023.
  • The MRMP rate increased across the three stages: 46.74% in the pre-pandemic stage, 72.63% in the pandemic stage, and 83.31% in the post-pandemic stage.
  • The positivity rate of MPC declined significantly during the pandemic stage from 26.12% to 14.97%, but rebounded to a high level in the post-pandemic stage (31.88%).
  • The study found that various NPIs in the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the prevalence of MPC, suggesting important implications for prevention and control strategies.

Statistics:

  • 27,056 children were tested for MPC, with a positivity rate of 28.36%.
  • The highest positivity rate of MPC was in 2023 (35.01%) and the lowest in 2022 (12.56%).
  • The 6-17 year age group had the highest positivity rate of MPC (41.08%).
  • The epidemic seasons were predominantly in autumn (36.71%) and winter (23.12%).
  • The MRMP rate increased from 36.68% in 2018 to 87.16% in 2023.
  • The positivity rate of MPC declined from 26.12% in the pre-pandemic stage to 14.97% in the pandemic stage, but rebounded to 31.88% in the post-pandemic stage.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Epidemiological changes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae among children before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic in Henan, China, from 2017 to 2024). Pediatrics Week. June 28, 2025; p 3.
  • Li, H., et al. (2025). Epidemiological changes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae among children before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic in Henan, China, from 2017 to 2024. Microbiology Spectrum, 2025.

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