Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the practice of a pediatrician: Finding answers to complex questions
A. V. Gorelov,
I. N. Zakharova,
I. V. Andreeva,
K. К. Baranov,
N. A. Geppe,
E. V. Melekhina,
T. A. Chebotareva https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2026-043
Abstract
On October 26, 2025, the Expert Forum chaired by Academician A.V. Gorelov and Professor I.N. Zakharova was held in Moscow. The Forum was attended by representatives from leading Russian research establishments and higher education medical institutions in the Russian Federation. The forum explored the most pressing issues in epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in pediatric practice. A post-COVID-19 outbreaks of respiratory infections caused by M. pneumoniae, involving primarily children, began to emerge globally approximately since the end of 2023. An increase in MP infection cases in both children and adults has also been reported in the Russian Federation from autumn of 2023 through the present. Clinically, MP infection manifests as a common respiratory infection in most patients (90–97%), but community-acquired pneumonia develops in 3–10% of patients. Children aged 5 to 18 years and adults under 45 are most resilient to MP infection, and emergence of clusters of infection are typical. Epidemics of M. pneumoniae infection are considered to occur every 3–7 years (in Russia, every 5–6 years), and immunity following infection lasts approximately 4 years. PCR tests have superiorities in diagnosing M. pneumoniae infection. Serological methods are also used to diagnose MP infections by measuring anti-M. Pneumoniae IgM, IgA, and IgG. Macrolides, particularly clarithromycin, are most commonly used to treat M. pneumoniae infections (both acute bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia) in pediatric practice, which is reflected in the current clinical guidelines for the treatment of Acute Bronchitis (Children, 2024) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (Children >1 month, 2025). This article thoroughly examines the current trends in the selection of the most appropriate antibacterial agents that provide predictable efficacy in the treatment of M. pneumoniae infections in children, based on the results of the Expert Forum Meeting
About the Authors
A. V. Gorelov
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University); Russian University of Medicine (ROSUNIMED); Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Aleksandr V. Gorelov - Academician of RAS, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Professor of Children's Diseases Department, N.F. Filatov Clinical Institute of Children's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University); Head of Department of Contagious Diseases and Epidemiology, Russian University of Medicine (ROSUNIMED); Deputy Director for Research, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology.
8, Bldg. 2, Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991; 4, Dolgorukovskaya St., Moscow, 127006; 3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
I. N. Zakharova
Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Irina N. Zakharova - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Honored Doctor of Russia, Head of the Department of Pediatrics named after Academician G.N. Speransky, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education.
2/1, Bldg. 1, Barrikadnaya St., Moscow, 125993
I. V. Andreeva
Smolensk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Irina V. Andreeva - Head of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Development Department, Research Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Smolensk State Medical University.
46А, Kirov St., Smolensk, 214019
K. К. Baranov
Pirogov National Medical Research University; Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Konstantin К. Baranov - Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Surgery, Pirogov National Medical Research University; Head of the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency.
117, Leninskiy Ave., Moscow, 119571; 1a, Malaya Pirogovskay St., Moscow, 119435
N. A. Geppe
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natal'ya A. Geppe - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Childhood Diseases, Filatov Clinical Institute of Children's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University).
8, Bldg. 2, Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991
E. V. Melekhina
Central Research Institute of Epidemiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elena V. Melekhina - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Research Associate of Clinical Department of Infectious Pathology, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology.
3a, Novogireevskaya St., Moscow, 111123
T. A. Chebotareva
Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatyana А. Chebotareva - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Paediatrics, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education.
2/1, Bldg. 1, Barrikadnaya St., Moscow, 125993
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For citations:
Gorelov AV, Zakharova IN, Andreeva IV, Baranov KК, Geppe NA, Melekhina EV, Chebotareva TA. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the practice of a pediatrician: Finding answers to complex questions. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council. 2026;(1):244-255. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2026-043
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