Bronchopulmonary infection caused by the Mycoplasma species, Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Smallest free-living organism; fastidious and slow-growing; first isolated in cattle in 1898
Most fre...
Infection may be asymptomatic.
Gradual onset of headache, malaise, low-grade fevers, chills
Symptoms of upper respiratory infection then occur, including incessant, nonproductive, worse...
Avoid sick contacts.
Treatment is usually empiric and must be comprehensive to cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.
Specific examples of common an...
Clearing of condition on CXR should be documented in patients >50 years of age.
In smokers, document a clear CXR in 6 to 8 weeks.
Worsening symptoms/development ...
Atkinson TP, Balish MF, Waites KB. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and laboratory detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2008;3...
Most common atypical respiratory pathogens include M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila.
Atypical pneumonia is usually a clinical diagnosis.
Watch closely for complicating sy...
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