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Lingering Cough: Is It Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma—pleomorphic bacteria that lack a cell wall are the smallest and simplest self-replicating organisms known to humans. They probably evolved from gram-positive, walled eubacteria by degenerative evolution. Smaller than amoebas, these 0.1-micrometer organisms grow and reproduce slowly and need no oxygen or host cell. They also change shapes asymmetrically, appearing as long, thin filaments, tiny spheres, or branches. Scientists have identified more than 100 mycoplasma species. Fifteen species are known to live in humans, most as normal symbiotic flora. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, previously called “walking pneumonia,” is pathogenic in humans.

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Articles of Interest

Mycoplasma Pneumonia

M.pneumoniae is a very common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in healthy individuals under the age of 40. Large outbreaks are known to occur in the late summer months and early fall. The infection is also more common in populations that live in close quarters like prisoners and military personnel. Unlike other viral pneumonia, the incubation period for mycoplasma is 14-21 days. The key feature to the diagnosis is the absence of a wet cough.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae The Other Masquerader

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacterium in the class of Mollicutes and is a common cause of atypical pneumonia, particularly in children and young adults. A Mycoplasma infection primarily manifests as a respiratory tract disease, but an extrapulmonary manifestation has occurred in up to 25% of infected patients. The organ systems that may be involved include the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and the musculoskeletal, cardiac, renal, hematopoetic, and nervous systems.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae: How Physical and Radiological Examination Contribute to Successful Diagnosis

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), particularly in young adults. Vital signs are usually normal except for temperature. On physical examination, general appearance is normal compared with that of typical pneumonia such as pneumococcal pneumonia patients.

Mycoplasma

This page will focus on infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is the smallest free-living organism capable of self-replication

Mycoplasma - Often Overlooked In Chronic Lyme Disease

For some reason, Mycoplasma infections are not only lesser known by patients, but seemingly often overlooked by doctors as well

Mycoplasma Pneumonia in Children and Adolescents

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community acquired pneumonia in children and adolescents and needs to be recognized by physicians. Findings associated with M pneumoniae infection are nonspecific and difficult to distinguish from other causes of respiratory tract infections. Chest radiography is nonspecific and findings are variable.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia-Associated Mucositis

Although mycoplasma pneumoniae usually manifests as a respiratory infection, causing fever, cough, and even shortness of breath, extrapulmonary manifestations are known to occur in up to 25% of patients. Extrapulmonary manifestations include: urticaria, erythema multiforme, arthritis, pericarditis, endocarditis, hepatitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Its Role as a Human Pathogen

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a unique bacterium that does not always receive the attention it merits considering the number of illnesses it causes and the degree of morbidity associated with it in both children and adults. Serious infections requiring hospitalization, while rare, occur in both adults and children and may involve multiple organ systems.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae from the Respiratory Tract and Beyond

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important cause of respiratory tract infections in children as well as adults that can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Over the past several years there has been much new information published concerning infections caused by this organism.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Induced Rash and Mucositis

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes more than community acquired pneumonia. All mucous membrane involvement does not equal SJS! The mucositis can be a very prominent feature of MIRM.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: A Potentially Severe Infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections remain one of the most common etiologies of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The clinical presentation and manifestations vary widely and can affect all organs of the body. Diagnosis is challenging because there are no constant findings in physical exams or laboratory or radiological assessments that indicate Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, and specific diagnostic tools are not readily available.

Mycoplasma pneumoniaee Induced Rash and Mucositis

Mycoplasma pneumoniae–induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) is a newly categorized clinical entity consisting of prominent mucositis and variable skin involvement in patients with a recent mycoplasma infection. This illness is most prevalent in school-aged boys and may be encountered in outpatient and inpatient settings alike.

Mycoplasma, the Most Common Lyme Coinfection

The most common mycoplasma, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has preference for lung tissue. Initial infection with M. pneumoniae typically causes pharyngitis (sore throat), cough, fever, headache, malaise, rhinitis (runny nose); all the common symptoms of a basic upper respiratory infection.

Researchers Discover That Mycoplasma Pneumoniae CARDS Toxin Induces Inflammation in Lungs

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. Pneumoniae) is a bacterial pathogen that causes frequent and persistent infection in the lungs and airways. This pathogen produces an ADP-ribosylating and vacuolating toxin and is named community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin.

There's No Such Thing as a 'Simple' Organism

M. pneumoniae has just one-fifth as many genes as E. coli, the traditional single-cell model organism. That makes it an ideal target for systems biologists who want to understand how cells function. To them, genome scans are just a first step. They don't explain when or why genes are turned on and off, or how different genes interact at different times, or how cellular "machines" use proteins produced by gene instructions.

UAEM

Prodromal symptoms of cough, fever, and malaise precede. Mucositis far out of proportion to body rash, 90% vs 10%. Treatment: azithromycin and supportive care; occasionally steroids; rarely IVIG.

Resources

CDC

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is an "atypical" bacterium (the singular form of bacteria) that causes lung infection. It is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (lung infections developed outside of a hospital). M. pneumoniae infections are sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia."

MedlinePlus

Mycoplasma pneumonia usually affects people younger than 40. People who live or work in crowded areas such as schools and homeless shelters have a high chance of getting this condition. But many people who get sick with it have no known risk factors.

Radiopaedia

Atypical pneumonia refers to the radiological pattern associated with patchy inflammatory changes, often confined to the pulmonary interstitium, most commonly associated with atypical bacterial aetilogies such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophilia.

StatPearls

It usually causes upper respiratory tract infections but can also cause pneumonia, and it is one of the most common causes of atypical pneumonia in the United States. Many extrapulmonary infections have been attributed to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. However, a causal link is yet to be established.