Abstract:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP) is one of the major pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia in children. While most infections are self-limited, some pediatric patients may develop severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP) due to an excessive immune response, which significantly increases the difficulty of clinical treatment. This article reviews the immunopathological mechanisms of SMPP, with a focus on the key roles of innate immune dysfunction, adaptive immune imbalance, and cytokine storms in inducing lung tissue damage. Meanwhile, by integrating core theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as ＂preservation of healthy qi to prevent invasion by pathogenic factors＂(zheng qi cun nei, xie bu ke gan), ＂exuberant heat-toxin＂, and ＂failure of lung to disperse and descend＂, the article explores how TCM regulates the internal mechanism of immune imbalance through multiple pathways and targets, including clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing the lung and resolving phlegm, and benefiting qi and nourishing yin. Furthermore, it discusses the potential advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine interventions in alleviating inflammation and improving prognosis. The aim is to provide new theoretical insights and clinical references for the early identification, immune regulation, and integrated Chinese and western prevention and treatment of SMPP.

Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, Severe, Cytokine storm, Immune mechanism, Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment, Child