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 fever, chills
Symptoms of upper respiratory infection, including incessant, nonproductive, worsening cough (...
Avoid sick contacts.
Supportive care indicated, especially for very ill patients
Treatment is initially empiric and must be comprehensive to cover all likely pathogens in the c...
Clearing of condition on chest x-ray (CXR) should be documented in patients >50 years of age.
In smokers, document a clear CXR in 6 to 8 weeks.
Worsening symptom...
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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