Mycoplasmal Pneumonia

 

                                                      Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Introduction:

·       Pneumonia is often bacterial, primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, presenting typical signs and symptoms.

·    Atypical pneumonia, on the other hand, exhibits different clinical characteristics and can be attributed to pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

·     Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a unique bacterium lacking a cell wall and is globally distributed, typically transmitted through close contact and airborne droplets.

Epidemiology:

·       Atypical pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is common but usually mild in infants and small children.

·       More severe cases are observed in older children and young adults.

·    M. pneumoniae cells vary in shape, with a diameter of approximately 0.3 to 0.8 μm, and they stain Gram-negative.

·    Due to their inability to synthesize peptidoglycan precursors, Mycoplasmas are resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin.

Pathogenesis:

·       Mycoplasmas primarily infect the upper respiratory tract before moving to the lower respiratory tract, where they attach to respiratory mucosal cells.

·   These bacteria produce peroxide, which may contribute to pathogenesis, although the exact mechanism remains uncertain.

Clinical Manifestations:

·       The severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection varies, ranging from asymptomatic cases to serious pneumonia.

·       Severe cases involve the death of surface mucosal cells, lung infiltration, and congestion.

·      Initial symptoms typically include headache, weakness, a low-grade fever, and a characteristic cough.

·       The disease and its symptoms can persist for weeks.

·       Notably, the mortality rate for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is less than 1%.

Diagnosis:

·   Several rapid tests are available for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae using latex-bead agglutination to detect antibodies.

·     In some cases, Mycoplasmas isolated from respiratory secretions form distinct colonies with a "fried-egg" appearance on agar.

·       During the acute stage of the disease, diagnosis primarily relies on clinical observations.

Treatment:

·       Tetracyclines or erythromycin are effective treatments for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.

·     There are no specific preventive measures for this atypical pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.