Extrapulmonary involvement associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in adults

The study aimed to explore predictors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in adults and develop a nomogram predictive model in order to identify high-risk patients early. We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of a total of 337 adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and divided them into MPP and non-MPP groups according to whether they were infected with MP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen independent predictors of MPP in adults and to developed a nomogram model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, concordance index (C-index), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used for the validation of the evaluation model. Finally, the nomogram was further evaluated by internal verification. Age, body temperature, dry cough, dizziness, CRP and tree-in-bud sign were independent predictors of MPP in adults (P < 0.05). The nomogram showed high accuracy with C-index of 0.836 and well-fitted calibration curves in both the training and validation sets. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was 0.829 (95% CI 0.774-0.883) for the training set and 0.847 (95% CI 0.768-0.925) for the validation set. This nomogram prediction model can accurately predict the risk of MPP occurrence in adults, which helps clinicians identify high-risk patients at an early stage and make drug selection and clinical decisions.

A plethora of manifestations following a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: a case report

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can present with a plethora of symptoms and result in a systemic vasculitis by activating a cascade of autoimmune reactions. In this case report, a young man without relevant past medical history was admitted to the hospital with diarrhea, abdominal pain and spiking fever. A CT-scan showed terminal ileitis. A 5-day broad spectrum antibiotic treatment (ciprofloxacin/clindamycin) did not result in any clinical improvement. On the contrary, the patient developed a cholestatic hepatitis, bilateral anterior uveitis and a dry cough. Extensive serological testing finally led to the diagnosis of a M. pneumoniae infection by paired serology (≥4-fold rise in IgG titer). In the diagnostic work-up, a PET-CT was performed and showed increased tracer uptake in the carotids and vertebral arteries, suggesting the diagnosis of vasculitis. After start of azithromycin and low-dose corticosteroids (0.5 mg/kg/day), a gradual clinical and biochemical improvement was observed. But subsequently, the patients relapsed and presented with an acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography revealed aneurysmatic deformation of the three coronary arteries, leading to the assumption of coronary vasculitis. Clinical improvement was achieved with high-dose corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/day). This case shows that M. pneumoniae is not merely a pulmonary infection, but that its primary symptoms can be diverse and misleading. All clinicians should be aware of its extrapulmonary manifestations.

Myringitis: An update

Myringitis can be acute or chronic. Though they commonly present with ear discharge with or without pain, the etiology and the management principles differ. Granular myringitis generally is an external ear pathology extending to tympanic membrane and present as painless otorrhea, whereas the bullous myringitis is commonly associated with acute inflammation of middle ear cleft and present with severe ear pain. This literature review discusses the clinical as well as the therapeutic aspects of these inflammatory conditions.

Rare complicated parapneumonic effusion, Mycoplasma pneumoniae with new-onset lupus flare: Case report and literature review

Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been associated with respiratory tract infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia–related pleural effusion is rarely reported. Extra-pulmonary abnormalities such as encephalitis, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis, and myringitis have been reported. However pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus include pneumonitis, pleurisy, interstitial lung disease, and thromboembolic disease. We present the case of a 26-year-old male who came for evaluation of fever, cough, and shortness of breath with right-sided chest pain. He was found to have right-side loculated complicated parapneumonic effusion and underwent drainage with a pleural catheter followed by fibrinolytic therapy. He was then found to have new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus concomitant with Mycoplasma pneumonia, leading to lupus flare and lupus nephritis. He responded well to levofloxacin, steroids, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate, with complete resolution of loculated pleural effusion and symptom improvement. Our case describes the rare combination of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, parapneumonic pleural effusion, and lupus flare with lupus nephritis. Early identification and treatment can lead to better out come in young patients.

A Rare Case of Cavitary Lesion of the Lung Caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an Immunocompetent Patient

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an atypical bacterium that most commonly causes upper respiratory tract infections, but it can also cause pneumonia, referred to as "walking pneumonia." Although cavitary lesions are present in a wide variety of infectious and noninfectious processes, those attributable to M. pneumoniae are extremely uncommon; thus, to date, epidemiological studies are lacking. Here, we present a rare case of a 20-year-old male, referred to us from a psychiatric facility for evaluation of a cough, who was found to have a cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe. An extensive workup for cavitary lesion was negative, but his mycoplasma IgM level was high. A computed tomography (CT) of the chest confirmed the presence of a cavitary lesion. After treatment with levofloxacin antibiotics, a follow-up CT showed complete resolution of the lesion. Our case is a rare presentation of mycoplasma pneumonia as a cavitary lesion in a patient without any known risk factors predisposing to mycoplasma infection. Early recognition and treatment with an appropriate antibiotic may lead to complete resolution of the cavitary lesion.