Mycoplasma pneumoniae as an Under- Recognized Agent of Vasculitic Disorders

A Persistently Febrile Adolescent with Headache and Vision Changes

“…1,3,5 Multiple neurological complications have been reported in association with Mp, with meningoencephalitis and encephalitis being the most common. [1][2][3] Additionally, transverse myelitis, GuillainBarre syndrome, seizures, cerebellar ataxia, psychosis, and aseptic meningitis can also occur.…”

“…[1][2][3] Additionally, transverse myelitis, GuillainBarre syndrome, seizures, cerebellar ataxia, psychosis, and aseptic meningitis can also occur. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Interestingly, both neurological and vascular symptoms seem to occur in patients who do not have the typical respiratory manifestations of Mp, [1][2][3]5,6 and so clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for Mp in patients who may have atypical clinical features.…”

“…usually presents with a cough as well as constitutional symptoms including fever and malaise, 2,4 although Mp is also known to cause a wide array of extra-pulmonary symptoms involving almost every organ system, including the central nervous system (CNS). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] These extra-pulmonary symptoms may resemble other disease processes, so the diagnosis may be delayed or missed. 1,[3][4][5] The diagnosis of extrapulmonary Mp disease is difficult for several reasons, even when the clinician considers it in the differential.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] These extra-pulmonary symptoms may resemble other disease processes, so the diagnosis may be delayed or missed. 1,[3][4][5] The diagnosis of extrapulmonary Mp disease is difficult for several reasons, even when the clinician considers it in the differential. The organism is very difficult to grow in culture conditions, 2 and often the diagnosis is made over several weeks by noting a fourfold increase in serological testing between paired acute and convalescent samples.…”

“…Mp typically causes upper and lower respiratory infections, [1][2][3][4][5][6] and is transmitted by aerosols. usually presents with a cough as well as constitutional symptoms including fever and malaise, 2,4 although Mp is also known to cause a wide array of extra-pulmonary symptoms involving almost every organ system, including the central nervous system (CNS).…”