Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with rhabdomyolysis in a child

We report the history of a seven year-old male boy with cough and fever, who developed rhabdomyolysis concomitant with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The association between this organism and the muscular injury is rarely described in paediatric patients. This case then thus emphasizes that even seemingly mild M. pneumoniae airway infections may be complicated by invalidating neuromuscular sequelae.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection without pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae typically causes respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia. We herein report the case of a 30-year-old Japanese woman with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is rarely caused by bacteria, secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and ensuing hypercytokinemia without pneumonia who was successfully treated with a combination of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Therefore, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, which is treatable with antibiotics, should be considered a possible trigger of HLH in patients who present with a viral-like illness without pneumonia.

Fuchs' syndrome (Stevens-Johnson syndrome without skin involvement) in an adult male--a case report and general characteristics of the sporadically diagnosed disease

Fuchs' syndrome (Stevens-Johnson syndrome without skin involvement) is a sporadically diagnosed disease. Most authors consider it to be a pure mucosal variant of Stevens-Johnson syndrome; however, some consider the syndrome a separate entity. The complete absence of cutaneous symptoms may be the reason that not all cases of Fuchs' syndrome are diagnosed and properly classified. The authors describe a case of a 22-year-old patient suffering only from mucosal symptoms, diagnosed as Fuchs' syndrome from the context of the tests performed. A Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection triggered the disease onset. Mycoplasma infection, as a trigger factor of Fuchs' syndrome in adults, has so far been described in only a few isolated cases worldwide.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were not identified in sinus mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a symptomatic inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses lasting for at least 12 weeks. Atypical bacteria Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are important causes of human respiratory tract infection. Also, they were identified in bronchial respiratory epithelium of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. Having in mind the unified airway concept, it is also possible that these bacteria can cause persistent infection of sinus mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Sixty consecutive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent the functional endoscopic sinus surgery due to medical therapy failure were included in the study. During the operation, sinuses were irrigated with sterile 0.9% NaCl solution and this lavage was immediately aspirated. Aspirates were used for the detection of C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae DNA using real-time PCR. C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae DNA were not detected in samples analysed. Atypical bacteria C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae did not cause persistent infection of sinus mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

[Cycloferon in therapy of hyperplastic laryngitis for decrease of the number of relapses]

The article describes the clinical forms of chronic hyperplastic laryngitis, characterized by persistent and recurrent course, a tendency to the formation of oncological pathology, at the expense of hyperplastic changes in the larynx, leading to a malignancy of the inflammatory process. It was demonstrated the bacterization of larynx by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Mycoplasma in imbalance of system of interferon. Clinical recovery, depending on the clinical form of the disease, using cycloferon, was observed in 57.4% of patients. The inclusion in the complex of the medical support of chronic hyperplastic laryngitis inducer of interferon - cycloferon, provided the reduction of the number of relapses.

[Mycoplasma and Chlamydia as ethiological factors of bronchial asthma in terms of ethnogenesis]

AIM

The study of the prevalence and clinical peculiarities of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis in patients with different pathogenic forms of bronchial asthma (BA) taking into account ethnicity of a patient.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The research covered 239 subjects--both the Europeoids and the Mongoloids in the city of Krasnoyarsk and the town of Kyzyl, all of them being BA patients of different stages, including acute stage and practically healthy. We had determined antigens Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis in smears of mucosa of pharynx and antibodies to these antigens in peripheral blood serum.

RESULTS

We found high frequency of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis in the inhabitants of Eastern Siberia, BA patients with different pathogenic forms as compared to control group. We had determined ethnic peculiarities of specific immune response: IgM to M. pneumoniae was revealed in the Europoids more frequently than in the Mongoloids, but IgM to C. pneumoniae and to C. trachomatis, C. trachomatis antigens had been revealed more often in the Mongoloids than in the Europoids. We accepted as clinical equivalents of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis diagnostics the following signs: temperature around 37C (subfebrile temperature), non-intensive but stable coughing with scanty mucous and muco-purulent sputum, dyspnea of mixed character.

CONCLUSIONS

Mycoplasma and Chlamydia are meaningful etiologic factors of bronchial asthma. We have found the peculiarities of immune response depending on ethnicity of a patient (ethnic belonging). Clinical markers of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis should be taken into account in bronchial asthma in order to provide diagnostics timely as well as eradication of infection agents. Because of insufficient knowledge of problem of bronchial asthma related to contamination with Mycoplasma and Chlamydia we put the goal to study the frequency of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis occurrence in bronchial asthma patients and determine the characteristics clinical course of diseases. We defined antigens Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis in smears of oropharynx mucosa and antibodies to them in blood serum.

[Study on changes in cytokines of infertile women with mycoplasma infection and intervention with traditional Chinese medicines]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha) of peripheral blood and cervical mucous of infertile women with mycoplasma infection and the effect of intervention of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs).

METHOD

According to the results of culture of mycoplasma from genital tracts, 72 patients with positive mycoplasma were randomly divided into the TCM group (38 cases) and the western medicine group (34 cases). The western medicine group was treated with 0.5 g azithromycin for 3 days and consecutively treated for six courses of treatment, each course of treatment of 4 days. The TCM group were treated with Xiaozhi decoction twice every day for 6 weeks. The IL-1beta, IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels of the peripheral blood and cervical mucous of the two groups were measured by the Ria testing before and after the treatment, and the mycoplasma culture (-) of 32 infertile women as set for control.

RESULT

Before the treatment, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in levels of the two treatment groups were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). In the TCM group, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels showed significant differences compared with those before the treatment (P < 0.05) and those of the western group after the treatment (P < 0.01); and IL-2 level didn't have significant change before and after the treatment. The cytokines in peripheral blood of the two treatment groups showed notable difference compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). In TCM group, IL-2 level had remarkable difference compared with that before the treatment (P < 0.01) and compared with the control group after the treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha) in the peripheral blood and cervical mucous increase in infertile women with the mycoplasma infection, suggesting that TCMs can effectively inhibit the levels of IL-1beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha in the peripheral blood and IL-1beta, TNF-alpha in cervical mucous. It is proved that Xiaozhi decoction can be used to treat infertile women with mycoplasma infection.

[Role of opportunistic infection causative agent in etiology of obstructive bronchitis and prolonged subfebrility in children]

AIM

Determine the role of opportunistic infections causative agents in ethology of obstructive bronchitises and prolonged subfebrilities in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

56 children with the diagnosis of obstructive bronchitis and 46 children with the diagnosis of prolonged subfebrility were examined for the presence of herpes, mycoplasma and pneumocystic infections. EIA, IIF, rapid culture method, PCR were used.

RESULTS

The highest number of cases of mixed infection was detected in children with HHV-6 infection. Mixed infection was diagnosed 6 times more frequently in children with obstructive bronchitis and 9 times in children with prolonged subfebrility. The number of children with pneumocystosis in combination with other infections was 2.4 and 2 times higher than with monoinfection; with CMV infection--4 and 2 times; with HSV infection--5 and 4 times; EBV infection--6 and 3.7 times. The only exception was mycoplasmosis detected in children with obstructive bronchitis where the difference between the number of mono and mixed infection cases was insignificant.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained give evidence of wide spread of opportunistic infections.

[Chronic infection urethroprostatit: a new look at old problem]

An open, short-term, prospective, randomized study was conducted. 114 men with chronic urethroprostatitis against chlamydial-mycoplasmal infection, mean age 41,2 +/- 0,4 years, were observed. Follow investigations were performed: PCR, microscopic examination of urethral secretions and semen, transabdominal and transrectal ultrasound examination of prostate, evaluation of indicators of local and systemic immunity. In patients with chronic urethroprostatitis, abnormal urethral secretions were dominated; according to data of ultrasound examination, changes in the prostate were registered in all patients, as well as disturbances in cellular and humoral immunity. Depending on the method of treatment, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 received an immunomodulator Lavomax and basic treatment: azithromycin at a dose 1.0 g once a week for 3 weeks, Celebrex, physiotherapy (low-intensity laser radiation), prostate massage; and Group 2 received only basic therapy. The control group consisted of 30 healthy men. The most pronounced normalization of cellular immunity (decreased number of leukocytes, reduction of lysosomal activity, increased activity and intensity of phagocytosis, and functional reserve of neutrophils in the ejaculate), as well as normalization of lymphocyte subpopulation composition, immunoregulatory index in the peripheral blood, and levels of IgA, IgG, IL-8, INF-gamma, resolution of clinical symptoms were observed among patients in Group 1. Moreover, the rate of elimination of infectious agents was significantly higher in Group 1. Thus, the use of immunomodulator Lavomax is pathogenetically substantiated treatment for chronic urethroprostatite against chlamydial and mycoplasmal infection, which allows to include Lavomax in a comprehensive treatment of this disease.

Hypogammaglobulinemic patient with polyarthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis finally diagnosed as septic arthritis caused by Mycoplasma hominis

Hypogammaglobulinemia is a reduction or absence of immunoglobulin, which may be congenital or associated with immunosuppressive therapy. In addition to infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases have also been reported in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. A 26-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia had multiple joint pain and swelling with erosive changes in the proximal interphalangeal joint of the right middle finger on X-ray film, mimicking rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As polyarthritis remained after immunoglobulin replacement therapy and there was no finding indicating any infection at that time, a diagnosis of RA was made. Prednisolone and etanercept were started. However, his polyarthritis did not improve and he developed meningitis and massive brain ischemia. Finally, a diagnosis of disseminated Mycoplasma hominis infection was made. The differential diagnosis of polyarthritis in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia should strictly exclude Mycoplasma infection by culture with special media or longer anaerobic culture, and molecular methods for mycoplasma.

Mycoplasma genitalium: should we treat and how?

Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with acute and chronic urethritis in men. Existing data on infection in women are limited and inconsistent but suggest that M. genitalium is associated with urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and possibly female infertility. Data are inconclusive regarding the role of M. genitalium in adverse pregnancy outcomes and ectopic pregnancy. Available data suggest that azithromycin is superior to doxycycline in treating M. genitalium infection. However, azithromycin-resistant infections have been reported in 3 continents, and the proportion of azithromycin-resistant M. genitalium infection is unknown. Moxifloxacin is the only drug that currently seems to uniformly eradicate M. genitalium. Detection of M. genitalium is hampered by the absence of a commercially available diagnostic test. Persons with persistent pelvic inflammatory disease or clinically significant persistent urethritis or cervicitis should be tested for M. genitalium, if possible. Infected persons who have not previously received azithromycin should receive that drug. Persons in whom azithromycin therapy fails should be treated with moxifloxicin.

Severe anemia associated with Mycoplasma wenyonii infection in a mature cow

The clinical findings, diagnostic tests, and treatment of clinical anemia in a mature Angus cow infected with the hemoplasma Mycoplasma wenyonii are described. Mycoplasma wenyonii has been previously reported to cause clinical anemia in young or splenectomized cattle; however, infection has not been associated with severe anemia in mature animals.

[Detection and the antibiotic susceptibility analysis of mycoplasma and chlamydia in urogenital tract infections of 327 cases patients with tubal infertility]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of mycoplasma and chlamydia infections on tubal infertilityand to assess the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance of female urogenital, and consequently to guide clinical rational drug use.

METHODS

327 tubal infertility women as infertility group and 286 healthy pregnant women as control group were randomly selected, detected chlamydia trachomatis (CT), ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and mycoplasma hominis (MH) in cervical secretions and drug resistance of UU and MH.

RESULTS

CT infection rates (14.99%), UU infection rates (23.24%), UU + MH infection rates (29.05%),CT + UU + MH infection rates (9.17%) and total infection rates (88.99%) in infertility group is higher than those (order: 2.80%, 6.99%, 8.39%, 4.55%, 29.02%) in the control group, comparisons of two groups are statistically significant differences (P < 0.05), the susceptibility of UU to roxithromycin (sensitivity is 96.05%), josamycin (sensitivity is 96.05%), tetracycline (sensitivity is 82.89%), vibramycin( sensitivity is 92.11%) and clarithromycin (sensitivity is 96.05%) were relatively high and low to ciprofloxacin and acetyl spiramycin. The susceptibility of MH to josamycin (sensitivity is 95.83%), vibramycin (sensitivity is 91.67%), minocin (sensitivity is 83.33%) and actinospectacin (sensitivity is 75.00%) were relatively high and low to erythromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin and clarithromycin. UU + MH was only sensitive to josamycin (sensitivity is 90.52%), high resistance (77.89% -91.58%) to erythromycin, azithromycin, acetyl spiramycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, azithromycin and clarithromycin.

CONCLUSION

Infection of CT, UU, MH and tubal infertility have certain relevance,the rates of CT, UU and MH infection in tubal infertility patients higher than fertile people. For many commonantibacterial drugs, UU, MH and UU + MH has strong resistance, the etiology detection and using adapted antibios should be taken seriously in clinical treatment.

Mycoplasma genitalium: an emerging cause of sexually transmitted disease in women

Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen implicated in urethritis in men and several inflammatory reproductive tract syndromes in women including cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and infertility. This comprehensive review critically examines epidemiologic studies of M. genitalium infections in women with the goal of assessing the associations with reproductive tract disease and enhancing awareness of this emerging pathogen. Over 27,000 women from 48 published reports have been screened for M. genitalium urogenital infection in high- or low-risk populations worldwide with an overall prevalence of 7.3% and 2.0%, respectively. M. genitalium was present in the general population at rates between those of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Considering more than 20 studies of lower tract inflammation, M. genitalium has been positively associated with urethritis, vaginal discharge, and microscopic signs of cervicitis and/or mucopurulent cervical discharge in seven of 14 studies. A consistent case definition of cervicitis is lacking and will be required for comprehensive understanding of these associations. Importantly, evidence for M. genitalium PID and infertility are quite convincing and indicate that a significant proportion of upper tract inflammation may be attributed to this elusive pathogen. Collectively, M. genitalium is highly prevalent in high- and low-risk populations, and should be considered an etiologic agent of select reproductive tract disease syndromes in women.

A case of microscopic polyangiitis following mycoplasma infection in a patient with MPO-ANCA positive pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Microscopic polyangiitis is a vasculitic disease that may result in a pulmonary renal syndrome. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis is strongly associated with infection.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe a case of microscopic polyangiitis that developed in a patient with MPO-ANCA positive pulmonary fibrosis following infection with mycoplasma. A renal biopsy was undertaken following the detection of microscopic hematuria during follow-up but no abnormal findings were evident. The MPO-ANCA titer increased following infection with mycoplasma pneumonia and a second renal biopsy demonstrated crescentic glomerulonephritis. The degree of pulmonary fibrosis was unaffected.

DISCUSSION

The present case suggests that the mycoplasma infection triggered the elevation of MPO-ANCA titer and provoked glomerulonephritis in a patient with MPO-ANCA positive IPF. This case indicates the importance of testing for MPO-ANCA at the time of initial diagnosis, performing urinalysis and examining the urine sediment during follow-up and being alert to the potential onset of vasculitis in cases of pulmonary fibrosis.

[Relationship between mycoplasma and chlamydia infection and lesions in the cervical tissue in high-risk HPV-positive patients]

OBJECTIVE

Discussion of the relationship between Mycoplasma and chlamydia infection and lesions in the cervical tissue in high-risk HPV-positive infertile patients with cervical.

METHODS

HPV-negative patients with cervical as the control, retrospective analysis the relationship of Mycoplasma hominis and chlamydia infection, cervical histological graded, and inflammation graded.

RESULTS

The rate of HPV infection in mycoplasma-positive and those with negative mycoplasma has significant difference (P < 0.01), The rate of HPV infection in chlamydia-positive and those with negative chlamydia has no significant difference (P > 0.05). CIN and the incidence of cervical erosion and CIN grade were higher in HPV-positive than HPV-negative group (P < 0.01). The cervical erosion of HPV-positive was no difference in the degree (P > 0.05). Compared with the simple HPV-positive group, CIN and the incidence of severe cervical erosion in mixed infection of Mycoplasma was no difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mycoplasma infection increases the rate of high risk HPV infection, high-risk HPV infection increased cervical pathological damage, Mycoplasma infection might be the factor of persistent infection with high risk HPV, the degree of cervical pathological is the factor of cervical infertility which can not be ignored.

[Identification of Mycoplasma in patients with suspected prostate cancer]

AIM

Tests for Mycoplasma hominis, M. genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum in males with suspected prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Identification of mycoplasms was performed in prostate tissue samples using universal PCR as well as in serum samples of patients with suspected prostate cancer using ELISA for detection of IgG to M. hominis. Two hundred and fifty samples from each lobe of prostate were obtained from 125 patients with suspected prostate cancer by transrectal polyfocal biopsy. Blood samples were drawn from the same patients for ELISA.

RESULTS

Out of 125 patients with suspected prostate cancer, 20.5% were positive for Mycoplasma by PCR. Between studied species, only M. hominis was found in big proportion of analyzed samples. Out of 118 serum samples, 30.5% were positive for IgG to M. hominis in ELISA.

CONCLUSION

Fact of presence of Mycoplasma species in tissue of prostate was established in 20.5% pf patients with suspected prostate cancer. Obtained results show that M. hominis is frequently infects prostate tissue and that this infection was more common in patients with high grade prostatic interstitial neoplasia and prostate cancer than in patients with benign changes of prostate tissue or in persons without prostate disease. This allows to suggest that infection with M. hominis could play an important role in development of cancer.

Antibodies to various mycoplasmas in patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Clinical and epidemiologic features of coronary heart disease may not be explained solely by established risk factors. The role of infectious pathogens in the development and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques remains elusive but an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and CHD has been reported previously.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether there is an association between mycoplasmal infections and CHD.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 150 consecutive hospitalized patients with CHD (85 with acute coronary syndrome and 65 admitted for unrelated reasons) and 98 healthy blood donors. Antibody titers for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. fermentans, M. hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were measured with the agglutination test or specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all three groups of patients.

RESULTS

Analysis of the antibody titers did not reveal any significant difference in the presence of mycoplasmal antibodies between the patients with ACS, patients with known stable CHD hospitalized for non-CHD reasons, and healthy blood donors.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of specific antibodies did not reveal a significant association among different types of mycoplasmal infection and CHD.

[Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in the course of asthma]

Respiratory infections are one of the major causes of asthma exacerbations. Among numerous pathogens that may lead to exacerbations, particular attention should be paid to atypical bacteria: Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Despite significant frequency, infections caused by these species are underestimated due to untypical clinical course and lack of easily accessible diagnostic tests. Although acute infection can be easily linked with deterioration of asthma control, the role of respiratory colonisation by Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae has not been precisely defined. It is known that serologic signs of both past infection and chronic current infection (IgA) with Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae are found more often in asthmatics compared to healthy controls. Besides respiratory colonisation by Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae confirmed by culture or molecular tests is also more common in asthmatics. This is particularly relevant in cases of uncontrolled asthma that followed symptoms of respiratory infection. This may lead to the conclusion that atypical infections can play a role in asthma induction in previously healthy individuals as well as deteriorations in the course of the disease. Studies mentioned above have led to the new therapeutic possibility - eradication of Chlamydia pneumoniae. In some of the studies on eradication with macrolides promising results have been gained in terms of asthma control, but in most of the cases improvement was only temporary.

A practical approach to the prevention of miscarriage. Part 4--role of infection

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of infection as a cause of pregnancy loss.

METHODS

Studies concerning the risk factor of certain microorganisms for first trimester miscarriage and premature rupture of membranes are reviewed. The microorganisms especially considered were ureaplasma/mycoplasma, the potpourri of organisms causing bacterial vaginosis and chlamydia trachomatis.

RESULTS

The consensus is that all these microorganisms can on occasion lead to first trimester spontaneous abortion and second trimester loss especially related to premature rupture of membranes.

CONCLUSIONS

Reactivation during pregnancy is possible so the best strategies involve giving a course of appropriate antibiotics prior to pregnancy but giving antibiotics at least intermittently during the first trimester. Similar antibiotic therapy could be considered for unexplained recurrent miscarriage where negative cultures exist.

[Influence of TORCH-infections on the spermatogenesis of men]

The purpose of the given study was to reveal causal relations between infection of the urino-genital tract by intracellular parasites, the so-called TORCH-infections, and the decrease of spermatogenesis. For observation 182 men of reproductive age (from 22 to 38 years) with oligozoospermia and aspermia, without any complaints or clinical symptoms indicating existence of infections of urino-genital tracts, were selected. Out of those, 131 revealed oligozoospermia, i.e. the quantity of spermatozoons was no higher than 20 mln in 1 ml of ejaculate, and 51 revealed - aspermia. For examination of some TORCH infections, medical doctors in charge directed 44 oligozoospermia patients and 15 aspermia patients, who respectively constituted group I and group II. Examinations were carried out for Chlamydia trachomatis--(Ch.t), Herpes simplex virus--(HSV), Ureaplasma urealiticum--(U.u.), Cytomegalovirus--(CMV), and Mycoplasma hominis--(M.h.). In the group with oligozoospermia, cases of infections by Chlamydias (41.5%) and Herpes virus (51.3%) were frequent, but Ureaplasma (56,5%) was more frequent than any infections. Cytomegalovirus occurred in the least number of cases. Making any conclusions on the frequency of infections by M.h. is difficult due to the low number of examinations. Similar picture was observed in Group II as well. Following successful treatment of infections in Group I, 8 patients with Ch.t. and 8 patients with U.u. showed an improved spermogram after several months. Treatment of other infections did not yield tangible results. In Group II spermatogenesis remained without any changes.

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: report of ten cases and comparison with viral encephalitis

The California Encephalitis Project (CEP), established in 1998 to explore encephalitic etiologies, has identified patients with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies, the likely etiology of their encephalitis. This study compares the presentation of such patients to those with viral encephalitis, so that infectious disease clinicians may identify individuals with this treatable disorder. Patients were physician-referred, and standardized forms were used to gather demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Features of anti-NMDAR+ patients were compared with the viral encephalitides of enteroviral (EV), rabies, and herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1) origins. Sixteen cases with confirmed viral etiologies were all negative on NMDAR antibody testing. Ten anti-NMDAR+ patients were profiled with a median age of 18.5 years (range 11-31 years). None were Caucasian. They had a characteristic progression with prominent psychiatric symptoms, autonomic instability, significant neurologic abnormalities, and seizures. Two had a teratoma, and, of the remaining eight, four had serologic evidence of acute Mycoplasma infection. The clinical and imaging features of anti-NMDAR+ patients served to differentiate this autoimmune disorder from HSV-1, EV, and rabies. Unlike classic paraneoplastic encephalitis, anti-NMDAR encephalitis affects younger patients and is often treatable. The association of NMDAR antibodies in patients with possible Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection warrants further study.

Persistent exposure to Mycoplasma induces malignant transformation of human prostate cells

Recent epidemiologic, genetic, and molecular studies suggest infection and inflammation initiate certain cancers, including those of the prostate. The American Cancer Society, estimates that approximately 20% of all worldwide cancers are caused by infection. Mycoplasma, a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall, are among the few prokaryotes that can grow in close relationship with mammalian cells, often without any apparent pathology, for extended periods of time. In this study, the capacity of Mycoplasma genitalium, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis, a mycoplasma found at unusually high frequency among patients with AIDS, to induce a malignant phenotype in benign human prostate cells (BPH-1) was evaluated using a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. After 19 weeks of culture, infected BPH-1 cells achieved anchorage-independent growth and increased migration and invasion. Malignant transformation of infected BPH-1 cells was confirmed by the formation of xenograft tumors in athymic mice. Associated with these changes was an increase in karyotypic entropy, evident by the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations and polysomy. This is the first report describing the capacity of M. genitalium or M. hyorhinis infection to lead to the malignant transformation of benign human epithelial cells and may serve as a model to further study the relationship between prostatitis and prostatic carcinogenesis.

Incidence of anti-zona pellucida and anti-sperm antibodies among infertile Jordanian women and its relation to mycoplasmas

Anti-zona-pellucida autoantibodies (AZP-Ab) and anti-sperm isoantibodies (ASA) were assessed in the cervical secretions from 73 infertile Jordanian women and 41 fertile control women using latex agglutination. Significantly more women with infertility had AZP-Ab and ASA (16.4% and 8.2% respectively) compared with fertile women (9.4% and 0%), with no relation to the etiology of infertility. Using polymerase chain reaction Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were detected in cervical secretions of 19.2% and 13.7% of infertile women, and the presence of mycoplasma was significantly correlated with the presence of AZP-Ab and ASA.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in an infant with incontinentia pigmenti

We report the case of a female Japanese infant who was diagnosed with incontinentia pigmenti (IP) on the basis of the clinical and pathological findings of characteristic skin lesions and the detection of deletion in the nuclear factor-kappa B essential modulator gene at Xq28. The patient developed repetitive seizures at the age of 7 months when she was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that often occurs after vaccination or infection. The causative infectious agent in this patient seemed to be Mycoplasma pneumoniae because of the increased titer of its serum antibody and the detection of its DNA in the initial cerebrospinal fluid sample. This patient showed significant improvement on receiving immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids. This is the second case report presenting an IP patient susceptible to ADEM, and therefore, ADEM should be considered early in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological illness for IP patients.

Intracranial Hypertension in a Boy with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection: The First Report

We describe a 7-y-old boy who developed idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) during the convalescent phase of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection. Anti-M. pneumoniae antibody and cold hemagglutinin titer were extremely high during his course, and corticosteroid administration was noticeably effective. It supports an immunopathological mechanism for his intracranial hypertension.

Carditis associated with mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Among 560 patients with serologically confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, 25 (4.5%) had carditis (19 perimyocarditis, 6 pericarditis). During the acute phase 9 patients required intensive care. After an average of 16 months follow-up 11 patients with no previous signs of heart disease still had cardiac symptoms or signs. Thus carditis associated with M. pneumoniae infection is a serious disease, having cardiac sequelae more often than has hitherto been supposed. The pathogenesis of the carditis associated with M. pneumoniae infection is discussed, including the possibility that in some cases the elevated titre in the complement fixation test is non-specific. A summary is given of the 33 cases previously presented in the literature.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection associated with affection of the central nervous system

A total of 371 patients with acute, febrile, non-bacterial affection of the CNS hospitalized between Nov. 1, 1971, and June 1, 1976, were examined for Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae infection. Nineteen of the patients showed evidence of a current M. pneumoniae infection, 32 of a previous infection, and 320 no evidence. In patients with a current infection due to M. pneumoniae, suggestive evidence is presented that this agent might be involved in the pathogenesis of the neurological syndromes. Compared to cases without the infection, these cases and, to a lesser degree, those with a previous M. pneumoniae infection showed an increased frequency of pathological values, found by various laboratory and instrumental parameters, and a slightly higher frequency of neurological sequelae. Respiratory illness was present in only 11 of the 19 patients infected with M. pneumoniae, a classical respiratory tract pathogen. The overall incidence of current M. pneumoniae infections among patients with neurological syndromes was 5%, with a maximum of 10% during the 1972 epidemic. This is a much higher figure than expected from a mere coincidence of the two conditions.

Mycoplasma pneumonia-associated acute hepatitis in an adult patient without lung infection

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a major cause of respiratory infections in school-aged children. Most M. pneumonia infections in adults involve the respiratory tract. Extrapulmonary manifestations of M. pneumonia infection may be found in the skin, cardiovascular, neurologic and hematologic systems. Concomitant liver disease is rare in adults. Here, we report an unusual case of a patient who presented with fever and abdominal pain, but without pulmonary manifestations. The laboratory work-up demonstrated a hepatocellular pattern of acute hepatitis caused by M. pneumonia infection. Symptoms subsided and laboratory parameters improved with antibiotics treatment. Thus, this case can help raise clinicians' awareness of the possibility of M. pneumonia infection, with or without lung involvement, as a part of the evaluation of undetermined hepatitis.

Mycoplasma meningitis in infants with spina bifida

Infants with myelomeningocele are liable to develop bacterial colonisation of the lesion which, in the case of Gram-negative bacteria, often progresses to meningitis because of the infants' immature immune status. The time and origin of the bacterial colonisation usually are uncertain. This study reports seven cases of meningitis caused by Mycoplasma hominis, an organism not previously reported to cause meningitis. The commensal status of Mycoplasma hominis in the vagina of many women, and its isolation from the mother of one patient in this group, suggests that the infant acquired the organism in the birth canal and that infection developed over a period of days. Routine cultures from the sac or wound did not show the presence of organisms until after the child had developed signs and symptoms of meningitis. Commensal organisms from the vagina may lie dormant for several days within the closed myelomeningocele and their more virulent strains may then produce meningitis. It is suggested that neonatal meningitis may be caused by organisms acquired during birth, as well as by those to which the infant is exposed later.

[Child with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) initially presenting with psychiatric symptoms]

We recently evaluated a patient with ADEM after a mycoplasma infection who initially presented with psychiatric symptoms, including hyperkinesis, irritability, and emotional outbursts. Psychiatric symptoms in ADEM are rare and usually suggest some underlying psychiatric or psychogenic disorder. This case illustrates that in children who initially present with psychiatric symptoms, even in the absence of typical neurologic symptoms associated with encephalitis such as disturbance of consciousness or seizures, ADEM should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Recent history of infections or vaccinations should also be considered.

[Diagnostic image (388). A boy with blue ears]

An 8-year-old boy was presented with painful blue ears due to infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The changes disappeared spontaneously.

Thrombocytosis in childhood

Thrombocytosis is a frequent finding in hemograms obtained from hospitalized and ambulatory children due to the widespread use of automated blood cell counters. Pediatricians are commonly puzzled in cases of thrombocytosis to determine the underlying cause and the need for therapy. The purpose of this review is to assist the general pediatrician into dealing with this common hematological finding in every day clinical practice. Fortunately, primary thrombocytosis or essential thrombocythemia, a clonal disease, is exceedingly rare in childhood, but may be associated with thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. On the other hand, secondary or reactive thrombocytosis is very common and is due to a variety of conditions, such as acute and chronic infections, iron deficiency, bleeding, hemolytic anemias, collagen vascular diseases, malignancies, drugs and splenectomy. Treatment of reactive thrombocytosis should be directed to the underlying problem alone. Administration of platelet aggregation inhibitors such as aspirin is unwarranted. Consultation is necessary only for the rare child with extreme thrombocytosis who has clinical and/or laboratory criteria consistent with essential thrombocythemia, or in whom a hemorrhagic or thrombotic complication has developed.

Mycoplasma meningitis resulting in increased production of cerebrospinal fluid: case report and review of the literature

PURPOSE

We report a case of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production in a child with concomitant mycoplasma meningitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This 4-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of body aches, malaise, and headaches. He developed sudden onset of obtundation, apnea, left eye deviation, and bilateral dilated and unreactive pupils. A ventriculostomy was placed initially for a poor neurologic examination in the setting of likely meningitis. Initial intracranial pressure was high, and CSF production was supraphysiologic for the first few days of empiric, broad-spectrum treatment. Mycoplasma meningitis was diagnosed. The ventriculostomy was weaned after adequate treatment for mycoplasma meningitis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

At 4 months follow-up, the child remains shunt-free with only mild cognitive-linguistic impairment. Untreated mycoplasma meningitis may cause raised intracranial pressure (possibly as a result of increased CSF production) and result in a poor neurological examination. In this setting, CSF diversion in the form of an external ventricular drain may be beneficial to preserve neurologic function during treatment with antibiotics.