To analyze the present situation and epidemiological characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the hospitalized children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Pujiang Town of Shanghai city based on simultaneous amplification and testing (SAT) technique, so as to provide theoretical bases for clinical early diagnosis and rational treatment.

A total of 967 children with CAP admitted to the South Campus of Renji Hospital affiliated to the School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiaotong University from July 2018 to June 2019 were enrolled in this study. MP-RNA was tested with SAT technique, and the positive rate of MP infection in the different genders, ages and seasons were analyzed.

Among the 967 children, 252 cases (26.06%) were positive for MP-RNA, and the positive rates of MP infection were 24.20% in the male patients and 28.34% in the females ones, with no statistical significant difference between the males and females (χ²=2.126, P>0.05). MP infection was found in the hospitalized children of all the age groups. The positive rates of MP infection were 9.56% in the infant group (0-3 years old), 28.61% in the pre-school group (3-6 years old), and 64.97% in the school-age group (>6 years old), respectively, which showed a significant difference among the age groups (χ²=185.266, P<0.05). And the positive rate of MP infection increased with age′s increasing. MP infection was found throughout the year. The positive rates of MP infection were 31.82% in spring (3-5 months), 31.96% in summer (6-8 months), 22.94% in autumn (9-11 months), and 21.28% in winter (12-2 months). Significant differences were found among different seasons (χ²=11.825, P<0.05). The positive rates of MP in spring and summer were significantly higher than those in autumn and winter (χ²=11.620, P<0.05).

MP infection in the hospitalized children with CAP in Pujiang Town of Shanghai city is related to the age and season. No obvious difference was found between different genders. MP infection can occur in the children of all ages, and is more common in the pre-school and school-age children. The positive rate of MP infection increased with age′s increasing. MP infection occurs in the whole year and peaks in spring and summer.