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Chest Imaging

Mycoplasma pneumonia infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified as a cause of atypical pneumonia in humans in the early 1960s. Prior to this its existence as a pleural pneumonia-like organism or Eaton agent was surmised. M. pneumoniae may account for up to 25% of community-acquired pneumonias and is commonly implicated in outbreaks of pneumonia in patients living in close quarters such as college dormitories and military barracks. After inhaling the organism a patient may experience symptoms of headache, fever and malaise. Upper respiratory tract symptoms may be present as may tympanic membrane inflammation. Radiographically patients may present with focal or diffuse fine to medium reticular opacities which can progress to homogeneous consolidation. Sporadic cases of M. pneumoniae may present in similar fashion as Streptococcus pneumoniae infections with homogeneous lobar opacities and high fever, shaking chills, and productive cough. Pleural effusions are uncommon and lymphadenopathy is not observed. While cold agglutinins may be produced with M. pneumoniae infection they are also seen in viral pneumonias and are not particularly sensitive or specific. The diagnosis is generally made by a rise in convalescent antibody titres. The disease may have a limited course of 30 days or will improve with erythromycin therapy. Constrictive bronchiolitis may be seen as sequelae..

PGO