Mycoplasma infection - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes community-acquired pneumonia and upper respiratory illness.
Infection is often seen in close community settings, such as schools, army bases, colleges, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Diagnosis of infection is usually made clinically; nucleic acid amplification tests (e.g., polymerase chain reaction), culture, or serology are required in hospitalized patients and those with severe disease to confirm M pneumoniae as the infecting pathogen. Limitations of serology include the possibility of false-positive results.
A macrolide or tetracycline antibiotic is usually effective as first-line treatment of mycoplasma infections in both uncomplicated and more severe community-acquired pneumonia.
Fluoroquinolones may be effective as second-line treatment if previous antibiotics fail.

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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

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Proposed pathophysiologic cascade of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in humans

Citations

Key Articles

British Thoracic Society. BTS guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in adults: update 2009. Jan 2015 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Oct 1;200(7):e45-67.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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