Respiratory tract colonization with mycoplasma species increases the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

There is controversy regarding the role of mycoplasmas (MP) colonizing the neonatal respiratory tract in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). To determine the association of respiratory MP colonization and BPD. Retrospective analysis of neonates (26-32 weeks of gestation) intubated for respiratory insufficiency. Tracheal aspirate cultures were obtained for MP if the lung disease was not improving by 7-10 days or there were radiographic changes suggestive of inflammation. Of 63 infants who had tracheal aspirates sent, 17 had positive MP cultures. We found no significant difference in the gestational ages (27.6 ± 0.4 vs 27.8 ± 0.2 weeks) or birth weights (1097 ± 86 vs 997 ± 42 grams) in MP positive vs negative infants. No differences were noted in antenatal or postnatal steroid use, gender, race, sepsis, RDS, PDA, air leaks, NEC, GER, days on positive pressure ventilation or days on oxygen. There were significantly (p = 0.04) more infants with severe BPD (defined as oxygen requirement at 36 weeks corrected post menstrual age) among MP positive (n = 14; 82%) versus MP negative (n = 25; 54%) infants. Presence of MP in the tracheal aspirates is associated with an increased likelihood of developing severe BPD.