Swiss researchers say SARS reappears after new coronavirus infection

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Mycoplasma pneumonia, which disappeared due to measures to combat Covid-19, is reappearing. A Zurich study published in the journal The Lancet Microbiology said it had returned to pre-pandemic levels after being absent for more than three years.

This content was published on November 24, 2023 – 09:30

November 24, 2023 – 09:30

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“It’s absolutely fascinating from a scientific point of view,” Patrick Meyer Sauteur of the University Children’s Hospital of Zurich told the Keystone-SDA news agency.

The researchers explain that measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic also led to a decrease in other pathogens, but all of them quickly reappeared afterwards, with the exception of mycoplasma. According to a study published in July by the same team, only a few isolated outbreaks have been documented.

After the pause ended, we returned to pre-pandemic levels, with Switzerland even recording record numbers. “The increase in infections in recent months has been impressive,” Sautur said.

“We must monitor developments closely,” he added. After three years of absence, people’s immunity declines, which can lead to more and more severe infections. But that is not currently the case.

Experts point out that more importantly, given that this bacterium has not been present for a long time, medical staff may no longer consider it even if corresponding symptoms appear. A resurgence of mycoplasma infections was observed between April and September 2023, based on surveillance in 44 centers in 24 countries.

Main causes of pneumonia in children

SARS is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. Before COVID-19, it was the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is endemic around the world, often in outbreaks, such as in homes, schools, or military installations. The disease is more common in hot weather, summer and early autumn.

It is spread through droplets through close contact. The disease is considered highly contagious. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, primarily in children and adolescents, but also in adults.

To explain the bacterium’s long absence, the authors in July cited Mycoplasma’s longer generation time (six hours, compared with 10-20 minutes for other conventional bacteria) and slower incubation time (one to three weeks).

The microorganism was discovered in the 1940s and had long been considered a virus, in part because of its difficulty in cultivating it. It can cause a variety of complications, some of which are serious, such as skin lesions and damage to the central nervous system. In recent years, the spread of antibiotic-resistant mutants has posed additional challenges, particularly in Asia.

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