Efficacy of sequential azithromycin and modified Zhisou San in treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: A clinical study

Evaluate efficacy of modified Zhisou San plus azithromycin sequential therapy in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). 120 MPP patients admitted January 2022–November 2023 at Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomized to control (azithromycin alone) or challenge (azithromycin plus modified Zhisou San) groups (n=60 each). Clinical efficacy, symptom-resolution time, serum IgA, IgM, IgG, and inflammatory markers were recorded after seven days. Overall efficacy was 91.67% (control) versus 96.67% (challenge). Challenge group showed significantly faster resolution of fever, cough cessation, lung rales disappearance, and lesion clearance (p<0.05). Post-treatment inflammatory factor levels were markedly lower in challenge group (p<0.05). Modified Zhisou San combined with azithromycin accelerates symptom relief and reduces inflammation in pediatric MPP, warranting clinical adoption.