Serum Mycoplasma Pneumoniae IgG in COVID-19: A Protective Factor
Abstract A correlation between prior exposure to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (IgG positive) and better clinical response to COVID-19 was elusive. In the present study, a retrospective review of 133 COVID-19 infected patients treated at Wuhan Union Hospital from Feb 1 to Mar 20 was carried out. Our data showed that COVID-19 infected patients with mycoplasma lgG positivity had a higher lymphocyte count and percentage (p = 0.026, p = 0.017), monocyte count and percentage (p = 0.028, p = 0.006) and eosinophil count and percentage (p = 0.039, p = 0.007), and a lower neutrophil count and percentage (p = 0.044, p = 0.006) than COVID-19 infected patients without mycoplasma lgG. Furthermore, requirement and use of a nasal catheter or oxygen mask was significantly lower in COVID-19 infected patients with mycoplasma lgG positivity (p = 0.029). Our findings indicate that mycoplasma IgG positivity is a potential protective factor for COVID-19.