Research advances in pathogenic mechanisms and host response of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: a metabolomics perspective

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common disorder that invades predominantly the school-aged children and adolescents globally. Given its nonspecific clinical manifestations at the initial stage and the significance of early identification of severe cases for clinical management, it highlights the necessity of diagnostic confirmation through laboratory testing. Recent advances in metabolomics have demonstrated significant potential in elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of MPP. It enables an analysis of metabolic alterations in biological samples, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of disease-associated perturbations in metabolic networks, and offering novel insights into its etiology. Simultaneously, metabolomics can facilitate the discovery of potential biomarkers, thereby serving as valuable tools for early diagnosis and disease progression evaluation.