Associations of radiological features in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

INTRODUCTION: The associations of radiological features with clinical and laboratory findings in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 1230 patients with community-acquired pneumonia was carried out between January 2005 and December 2009. The diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection was made using the indirect microparticle agglutinin assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Females were more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection. Ground-glass opacification on radiographs was positively associated with M. pneumoniae-IgM titres (rank correlation coefficient (r (s)) = 0.141, p = 0.006). The left upper lobe was more susceptible to infection with M. pneumoniae compared with other pathogens. More increases in the risk of multilobar opacities were found among older or male patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia (odds ratio, 1.065, 3.279; 95% confidence interval, 1.041–1.089, 1.812–5.934; p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively). Patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia showing multilobar opacities or consolidation had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (r (s) = 0.111, r (s) = 0.275; p = 0.033, p < 0.001; respectively), incurring significantly higher costs (r (s) = 0.119, r (s) = 0.200; p = 0.022, p < 0.001; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted female susceptibility to M. pneumoniae pneumonia and the association of ground-glass opacification with higher M. pneumoniae-IgM titres. The left upper lobe might be more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection. Older or male patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia were more likely to show multilobar opacities. Multilobar opacities and consolidation were positively associated with hospital length of stay and costs.