Clinical Focus ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (9): 821-827.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-583X.2025.09.008

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Clinical efficacy of levofloxacin versus minocycline in the treatment of children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Liu Jiao1,2, Shang Yun1(), Cui Qingyang1, Zhang He1, Qiu Meng2   

  1. 1. Department of Pediatrics,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University,Weihui 453100,China
    2. Department of Pediatrics,the Eighth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital,Beijing 100091,China
  • Received:2025-07-16 Online:2025-09-20 Published:2025-09-26
  • Contact: Shang Yun E-mail:xxshangyun@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of levofloxacin versus minocycline in treating children with macrolide-resistant M y c o p l a s m a   p n e u m o n i a e pneumonia (MRMP), and to analyze the therapeutic differences between the two drugs in mild, moderate, and critical subgroups, thus providing a basis for the drug use in MRMP. Methods A total of 204 children with MRMP admitted to the Eighth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from May 2023 to October 2024 were included. They were divided into the levofloxacin group ( n=65) and the minocycline group ( n=139) based on the treatment drug. Outcomes included rehabilitation indicators (e.g., temperature recovery, cough relief, disappearance of rales), inflammatory indicators, overall effectiveness, and short-term and long-term adverse reactions. Results There was no significant difference in the overall effectiveness rate between the levofloxacin group and the minocycline group ( P>0.05). Body temperature recovery time, cough relief time, wheezing relief time, blister sound disappearance time and imaging improvement time were comparable between the two groups ( P>0.05). Differences in the white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, lactate dehydrogenase and other inflammatory indicators before and after treatment were comparable between the two groups ( P>0.05). However, in the critical subgroup, the time for rales to disappear in the minocycline group was significantly shorter than that in the levofloxacin group ( P<0.05). In terms of safety, short-term adverse reactions were mainly mild gastrointestinal reactions, without abnormalities in liver and kidney functions and long-term adverse reactions. Conclusion The overall efficacy and safety of levofloxacin and minocycline in treating children with MRMP are comparable. Minocycline, due to its high lipid solubility and strong lung tissue penetration, can relieve pulmonary signs faster in critically ill children. Clinicians should develop individualized treatment plans based on the age of children and the severity of the disease.

Key words: children, macrolide-resistant $Mycoplasma\mathrm{ }pneumoniae$ M y c o p l a s m a   p n e u m o n i a e pneumonia, levofloxacin, minocycline

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