Empirical therapy for suspected Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae high-severity CAP in children 2 months or older

For children 2 months or older with high-severity CAP, the benefit of empirical therapy for Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae is uncertainArnold, 2023Biondi, 2014Gardiner, 2015Williams, 2017. Consider adding an antibiotic with activity against these pathogens if a viral aetiology has been excluded, the child is not improving on the empirical therapy regimen and C. pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae is suspected based on the clinical syndrome (eg focal wheeze, rash, headache, sore throat).

If antibiotic therapy is indicated for high-severity C. pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae CAP in children 2 months or older, for children not taking a ciprofloxacin- or moxifloxacin-based regimen, add:

If infection with C pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae is confirmed, some clinicians continue the above combination therapy rather than changing to directed therapy.