The ESCMID Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC) gathers physicians, veterinarians, microbiologists, and scientists. Together, they are dedicated to improving the understanding of clinical presentation and epidemiology (including antimicrobial resistance) of Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Chlamydiales infections in both humans and animals. Their collaborative mission aims to:
ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study
Background
The aim of the ESGMAC MAPS study was to prospectively collect M. pneumoniae detection data from around the world following the COVID-19 pandemic and, where possible, to retain isolates and/or DNA from local sites for future typing to monitor and characterise the re-emergence of M. pneumoniae from a global perspective.
The ESGMAC MAPS study was able to observe the beginning of the re-emergence of M. pneumoniae infections in the second half of 2023 right before the global occurrence of pneumonia outbreaks and timely alert clinicians via monthly website updates. This allowed a prompt response with adequate management.
News
Our new publication reports the global spatiotemporal dynamics of the substantial M. pneumoniae re-emergence in late 2023 with data from 29 countries. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest combined dataset for M. pneumoniae detections. Additionally, this work provides detail of patient outcomes for several sites, information on macrolide resistance across the globe, and answers to why a substantial delay was seen in the re-emergence of M. pneumoniae compared with the re-emergence of other respiratory pathogens.
Ongoing projects
ESGMAC MAPS study update:
Re-emergence and beyond (2023-2025)
Data collection in progress, planned publication in summer 2025
ESGMAC MAPS subtyping study (ESCMID Study Group Collaboration Grant: ESGMAC, ESGEM, ESGMD):
Developing a novel method for assessing global genetic diversity and molecular surveillance of M. pneumoniae during its re-emergence after the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
In progress
Contact information
If you are interested in contributing to this ongoing surveillance project, or would like to find out more, please contact either Patrick Meyer Sauteur (Patrick.MeyerSauteur[at]kispi.uzh.ch) or Mike Beeton (mbeeton[at]cardiffmet.ac.uk).
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed data so far and we are grateful for the on-going collaborations on this project.
Previous publications by the ESGMAC MAPS study
Meyer Sauteur PM, Chalker VJ, Berger C, Nir-Paz R, Beeton ML; ESGMAC and the ESGMAC–MyCOVID study group. Mycoplasma pneumoniae beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: where is it? Lancet Microbe. 2022 Dec;3(12):e897
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML; ESGMAC the ESGMAC MAPS study group. Mycoplasma pneumoniae: gone forever? Lancet Microbe. 2023 Oct;4(10):e763
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Mycoplasma pneumoniae: delayed re-emergence after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Lancet Microbe. 2024 Feb;5(2):e100-e101.
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Pneumonia outbreaks due to re-emergence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Lancet Microbe. 2024 Jun;5(6):e514.
ESGMAC MAPS study group. Global spatiotemporal dynamics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae re-emergence after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: an epidemiological and transmission modelling study. Lancet Microbe. 2025 Feb 27:101019
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML, Uldum SA, Bossuyt N, Vermeulen M, Loens K, Pereyre S, Bébéar C, Keše D, Day J, Afshar B, Chalker VJ, Greub G, Nir-Paz R, Dumke R; ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a global survey, 2017 to 2021. Euro Surveill. 2022 May;27(19):2100746
Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a global survey, 2017 to 2021.
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML, Uldum SA, Bossuyt N, Vermeulen M, Loens K, Pereyre S, Bébéar C, Keše D, Day J, Afshar B, Chalker VJ, Greub G, Nir-Paz R, Dumke R; ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Euro Surveill. 2022 May;27(19):2100746
Mycoplasma pneumoniae: not a typical respiratory pathogen.
Rowlands RS, Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML, On Behalf Of The Escmid Study Group For Mycoplasma And Chlamydia Infections Esgmac. J Med Microbiol. 2024 Oct;73(10):001910
Pneumonia outbreaks due to re-emergence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Lancet Microbe. 2024 Jun;5(6):e514
Mycoplasma pneumoniae: delayed re-emergence after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML for the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Lancet Microbe. 2024;5(2):e100–e101.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae: gone forever?
Meyer Sauteur PM, Beeton ML for the ESGMAC the ESGMAC MAPS study group. Lancet Microbe. 2023;4(10):e763.
Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae: atypical pneumonia and extrapulmonary infection
11 June 2025, 11:30 -13:30 CET
Early Career Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Researcher Conference 2025 (ECMCR 2025) organised by ESGMAC
19 February 2025, 13:00 -16:30 CET
ESGMAC: Update on diagnostics for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infections
15 January 2025, 16:00 CET
ESGMAC: Debate - Screening for chlamydia in asymptomatic people is not a sound public health strategy
12 June 2024
If you have questions or comments for our study group, we warmly invite you to contact us!
