배경: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)는 소아청소년에서 호흡기 감염의 주요한 원인 중 하나이나 MP에 의한 감염의 진단을 위한 항체가의 이용이 보편적이나 국내의 연구는 대도시에 국한된 연구였으며 국내의 최남단인 제주도에서의 항체가에 대한 연구는 없었다. 본 연구는 아열대성 기후로 변화되고 있는 제주도에 살고 있는 소아청소년에서의 MP 항체가의 빈도에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 2009년 3월부터 2011년 2월까지 제주 한라병원 진단검사의학과에 MP 항체가가 의뢰된 10세 이하의 1,580명에 대해 후향적으로 조사하였으며 소아청소년의 연령별 및 월별 항체가의 빈도를 조사하였다. 결과: 1：40 이상, 1：320 이상, 1：640 이상의 항체가의 빈도는 각각 69.4%, 20.8%, 10.7%이었다. 각각의 항체가의 빈도는 연령이 6개월 이하의 소아에서 가장 낮았으며 6개월 이상에서 4세까지 점차적인 증가를 보였으며 4세 이후에는 안정상태를 유지하였다. 1：320 이상, 1：640 이상의 항체가는 2009년 8월부터 2010년 6월까지 3개월 간격으로 항체가가 증감되는 소변이를 보였으며 2010년 7월부터 2011년 1월까지 항체가의 빈도가 크게 증가되는 대변이를 보였다. 결론: MP 항체가의 빈도는 연령이 6개월 이하의 소아에서 가장 낮았으며 그 이후 4세까지 점차적인 증가를 보였으며 1：320 이상 및 1：640 이상의 항체가는 3개월 간격으로 소변이가 관찰되었고 특정 기간에는 항체가가 크게 증가되는 대변이가 관찰되었다. 이 연구는 제주도에 사는 소아청소년에서 MP 항체가의 해석과 진단에 도움이 되길 바란다.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Currently, no study exists regarding the frequency of the mycoplasmal antibody on Jeju Island. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of mycoplasmal antibody among children living on Jeju Island. Methods: From March 2009 to February 2011, the frequency of mycoplasmal antibody among 1580 pediatric (＜10 years old) patients who were tested for the mycoplasmal antibody titer in Cheju Halla Hospital were retrospectively investigated. The authors also analyzed the positive rates according to age, sex, and season. Results: The frequency of mycoplasmal antibody titers were 69.4% for an antibody titer ＞1：40, 20.8% in an antibody titer ＞1：320, and 10.7% in an antibody titer ＞1：640. The positive rates of each antibody titer were lowest in children under the age of 6 months, and the positive rates increased gradually with age until 4 years, where the frequency showed a “plateau.” There were minor cyclic increases of positive rate (＞1：320, ＞1：640) every three months from August 2009 to June 2010, and there was a major increase of positive rate (＞1：320, ＞1：640) from July 2010 to January 2011. However, there was no positive rate cyclic pattern of mycoplasmal antibody in the lower titer (＞1：40) patients. Conclusion: The frequency of mycoplasmal antibody titer is lowest under the age of 6 months. The positive rates rise gradually with age until the age of 4years. The present study showed minor peaks of mycoplasmal antibody titer every three months and a major peak of mycoplasmal antibody titer. The results can be helpful for the interpretation and diagnosis of MP among pediatric patients on Jeju Island.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Currently, no study exists regarding the frequency of the mycoplasmal antibody on Jeju Island. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of mycoplasmal antibody among children living on Jeju Island. Methods: From March 2009 to February 2011, the frequency of mycoplasmal antibody among 1580 pediatric (＜10 years old) patients who were tested for the mycoplasmal antibody titer in Cheju Halla Hospital were retrospectively investigated. The authors also analyzed the positive rates according to age, sex, and season. Results: The frequency of mycoplasmal antibody titers were 69.4% for an antibody titer ＞1：40, 20.8% in an antibody titer ＞1：320, and 10.7% in an antibody titer ＞1：640. The positive rates of each antibody titer were lowest in children under the age of 6 months, and the positive rates increased gradually with age until 4 years, where the frequency showed a “plateau.” There were minor cyclic increases of positive rate (＞1：320, ＞1：640) every three months from August 2009 to June 2010, and there was a major increase of positive rate (＞1：320, ＞1：640) from July 2010 to January 2011. However, there was no positive rate cyclic pattern of mycoplasmal antibody in the lower titer (＞1：40) patients. Conclusion: The frequency of mycoplasmal antibody titer is lowest under the age of 6 months. The positive rates rise gradually with age until the age of 4years. The present study showed minor peaks of mycoplasmal antibody titer every three months and a major peak of mycoplasmal antibody titer. The results can be helpful for the interpretation and diagnosis of MP among pediatric patients on Jeju Island.