Pathogen Distribution and Mycoplasma pneumoniae Macrolide Resistance in Pediatric Plastic Bronchitis in Chengdu, China

This study investigates the etiology of plastic bronchitis (PB) in children in Chengdu, emphasizing the predominant pathogen, infection patterns, and antimicrobial resistance. The findings aim to provide actionable insights to improve diagnosis and management strategies for PB. A retrospective study was conducted on 117 pediatric patients diagnosed with PB via bronchoscopy at Chengdu Womens and Childrens Center Hospital between January 2023 and December 2024. Diagnostic evaluations included pathogen identification using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples, chest imaging to assess disease severity, and comprehensive clinical assessments. Statistical analyses investigated associations between gender, seasonality, and pathogen distribution.