Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Causes pneumonia in children

• similar rates throughout year but proportionally more in summer due to fewer numbers of strep pneumoniae / viral pneumonia

• most common 5-15 (school-age)

  • epidemic disease 4-8 years

Laboratory

• strict aerobe

• passes through 0.45 µm filter

Epidemiology

• worldwide incidence

• no seasonal variation

• Primarily 5-15 years

• trasmission by aerosolised droplet

• strict human pathogen

Diseases

• upper respiratory tract infections

  • 2-3 weeks after exposure

  • low-grade fever, malaise headache

  • dry, non-productive cough

• lower respiratory tract infections

  • tracheobronchitis

  • bronchopneumonia

    • atypical

    • patchy

Complications

• otitis media

• erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

• haemolytic anaemia

• myocarditis

• pericarditis

• neurologic abnormalities

Diagnosis

• difficult

• 2-6 weeks for culture

• complement fixation test available

Treatment

• Erythromycin drug of choice

• tetracycline can be used in older children/adults

• will not be immune to reinfection