Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Last reviewed: 28 Feb 2023
Last updated: 25 Oct 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence of risk factors
  • persistent cough
  • dry cough
  • prolonged symptoms
  • fever
  • adventitious sounds on physical examination
  • exposure to a person with respiratory tract infection
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • throat involvement
  • rash
  • headache
  • bullous myringitis
  • hepatitis
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • close community settings
  • recent exposure
  • cigarette smoking
  • age <30 years
  • immunosuppression
  • asplenia
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • WBC count
  • haemoglobin
  • LFTs
  • pulse oximetry
  • urea and electrolytes
  • C-reactive protein
  • chest x-ray
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)
  • serology
  • culture±/Gram stain
More investigations to consider

Emerging tests

  • antigen test

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

with pneumonia

Contributors

Authors

Ran Nir-Paz, MD
Ran Nir-Paz

Professor in Medicine and Clinical Microbiology

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center

Jerusalem

Israel

Disclosures

RNP declares that he has no competing interests. RNP is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Takeshi Saraya, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Respiratory Medicine

Kyorin University School of Medicine

Tokyo

Japan

Disclosures

TS declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Enno Jacobs, MD

Director

Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene

Dresden

Germany

Disclosures

EJ declares that he has no competing interests.

Laura J. Christie, MD

Research Scientist

Pediatric Infectious Disease

California Department of Public Health

Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory

Richmond

CA

Disclosures

LC declares that she has no competing interests.

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