Mycoplasma pneumoniae and central nervous system complications: a review

Neuroinfectious Diseases in Children: Pathophysiology, Outcomes, and Global Challenges

Pathogens with affinity for the central nervous system (CNS) in children are diverse in their mechanisms of infecting and attacking the brain. Infections can reach the CNS via hematogenous routes, transneurally thereby avoiding the blood-brain barrier, and across mucosal or skin surfaces. Once transmission occurs, pathogens can wreak havoc both by direct action on host cells and via an intricate interplay between the protective and pathologic actions of the host's immune system. Pathogen prevalence varies depending on region, and susceptibility differs based on epidemiologic factors such as age, immune status, and genetics. In addition, some infectious diseases are monophasic, whereas others may lie dormant for years, thereby causing a dynamic effect on outcomes. Outcomes in survivors are highly variable for each particular pathogen and depend on the vaccination and immune status of the patient as well as the speed by which the patient receives evidence-based treatments. Given pathogens cause communicable diseases that can cause morbidity and mortality on a population level when spread, the burden is often the greatest and the outcomes the worst in low-resource settings. Here we will focus on the most common infections with a propensity to affect a child's brain, the pathologic mechanisms by which they do so, and what is known about the developmental outcomes in children who are affected by these infections.

Quality management overview for the production of a tissue-engineered human skin substitute in Malaysia

Treatments for skin injuries have recently advanced tremendously. Such treatments include allogeneic and xenogeneic transplants and skin substitutes such as tissue-engineered skin, cultured cells, and stem cells. The aim of this paper is to discuss the general overview of the quality assurance and quality control implemented in the manufacturing of cell and tissue product, with emphasis on our experience in the manufacturing of MyDerm®, an autologous bilayered human skin substitute. Manufacturing MyDerm® requires multiple high-risk open manipulation steps, such as tissue processing, cell culture expansion, and skin construct formation. To ensure the safety and efficacy of this product, the good manufacturing practice (GMP) facility should establish a well-designed quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programme. Standard operating procedures (SOP) should be implemented to ensure that the manufacturing process is consistent and performed in a controlled manner. All starting materials, including tissue samples, culture media, reagents, and consumables must be verified and tested to confirm their safety, potency, and sterility. The final products should also undergo a QC testing series to guarantee product safety, efficacy, and overall quality. The aseptic techniques of cleanroom operators and the environmental conditions of the facility are also important, as they directly influence the manufacturing of good-quality products. Hence, personnel training and environmental monitoring are necessary to maintain GMP compliance. Furthermore, risk management implementation is another important aspect of QA/QC, as it is used to identify and determine the risk level and to perform risk assessments when necessary. Moreover, procedures for non-conformance reporting should be established to identify, investigate, and correct deviations that occur during manufacturing. This paper provides insight and an overview of the QA/QC aspect during MyDerm® manufacturing in a GMP-compliant facility in the Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Cytotoxic Lesions beyond the Corpus Callosum Following Acute Meningoencephalitis and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) are secondary lesions associated with a variety of clinical causes. The presence of a small and reversible lesion in the splenium of corpus callosum with restricted diffusion on cranial magnetic resonance imaging is the defining feature. The clinical-radiological manifestations have been documented as mild and reversible. Severer presentations were scarcely reported. In this report, we described a 25-year-old man with preceding fever, worsening somnolence, and convulsions. He was diagnosed with acute meningoencephalitis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection after workups. After medical treatments, he had neurological deterioration and progressing CLOCCs from a small oval lesion in the center of splenium extending to the whole corpus callosum and bilaterally adjacent white matter. The patient received intravenous methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin successively, and his neurological conditions improved. The CLOCCs, not always mild and reversible, could present with severe clinicoradiological features.

Potential association between bacterial infections and ischemic stroke based on fifty case-control studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Stroke is considered as one of the most important concerns in health care centers around the world. By definition there are two types of stroke including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Approximately three-quarters of stroke cases are ischemic strokes, which occur due to several risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory responses. In recent years, infectious diseases have noticed as a new risk factor for ischemic stroke. Given the importance of the issue, some bacteria that cause chronic infections, especially Chlamydia pneumonia, Helicobacter pylori, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Coxiella burnetii have been considered.

Methods

In the present meta-analysis, we reviewed 50 case-control studies and assessed the possible association of bacterial infections with the occurrence of ischemic stroke.

Results

We analyzed the information of 33,978 participants in several nested case-control studies, and ultimately showed that bacterial infections could increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Our results suggest that bacterial infections significantly increase in the risk of ischemic stroke (OR: 1.704; 1.57-1.84 with 95% CIs; p value = 0.01).

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, a significant relationship was observed between infection by three bacteria such as C. pneumoniae, H. pylori, and M. tuberculosis with the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Furthermore, due to the similarity between TLRVYK domain in β2-glycoprotein-I and TLRVYK peptide in various of microorganisms, produced antibodies against pathogens interact with β2-glycoprotein-I, hence the cross-reaction phenomenon increases the positive relationship between infectious diseases and ischemic stroke.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Stroke Related to Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma pneumonia usually causes asymptomatic to mild respiratory tract infection. However, nonrespiratory manifestations are not rare with involvement of various organ including skin, cardiovascular, central nervous system. We are presenting a 43-year-old male who presented with diffuse rash, sever mucositis, confusion, and complicated by ischemic stroke; also, review of mycoplasma related stroke and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Non-infectious mechanisms of neurological damage due to infection

Infections of the nervous system is a growing aspect of clinical neurology. Accumulating knowledge in early diagnosis, course, therapy and prognosis is enlarging the clinical tools required for effective therapy. Of special importance is the ability to differentiate between proper infections, where anti-microbial agents, when available, should be introduced and used and post infectious conditions where therapy is mainly directed against the host immune system. The two conditions sometimes overlap, a situation that requires the ability to combine clinical skills with the use of laboratory tools such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serology, and antigenic detection. In the era of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the need to make this distinction is emphasized as correct diagnosis of post infectious conditions and expedited therapy is important and sometimes lifesaving. We here attempt to present several infectious agents and their possible indirect damage to the nervous system causing in some cases significant neurological deficits. We try to limit our focus on those mechanisms which do not involve the direct tissue damage by the infectious agents but rather are connected to para- and post-infectious mechanisms. We attempt to delineate the features that will enable to tailor the correct diagnosis and following the effective therapy.

Anorexia Nervosa Caused by Polymicrobial Tick-Borne Infections: A Case Study

The etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) is multifactorial, and infections may play a contributory and possibly a prominent role. A case is presented which is indicative of a causal association between tick-borne infections and AN. This adolescent female was diagnosed with AN at an eating disorder clinic after excessive food restriction and an irrational fear of weight gain necessitating nasogastric tube feeding. Her history was consistent with systemic infections and she tested serologically positive to Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae; in addition, her clinical presentation was consistent with a Bartonella infection. After treatment with oral and intravenous antimicrobials, she stopped food restriction and no longer had body image concerns. Physicians should be aware of the possibility that tick-borne infections could underly a diagnosis of AN. The role of tick-borne infections in the etiology of AN warrants further study.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Atypical Pathogen in Community Acquired Pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a one of most common reasons of respiratory tract infections in both adolescents and children with severity ranged from moderate to high. Many facts in the previous years regarding infections were induced via this organism having extra pathogenic mechanisms. Clinically, resistance to macrolide has produced internationally and represents a treatment trouble. Antimicrobial sensitivity checking out techniques have been applied, and novel antibiotics which are effective towards M. pneumoniae are present processing development. That evaluate concentrates on the several trends occurring in the previous quite a few years which beautify the grasp of that microorganism, which is one of the smallest pathogenic bacteria; however, is of extreme medical significance.

Reversible splenial lesion syndrome associated with acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated encephalitis: A report of four cases and literature review

Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is a rare clinico-radiological syndrome that is defined as reversible lesions that involve the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC). RESLES has been reported in patients with a broad spectrum of diseases and conditions, including infections, hypoglycemia and poisoning. The present report described four RESLES cases triggered by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) and discussed the associated diagnostic challenges. Four cases of acute M. pneumoniae-associated encephalitis that displayed RESLES were reviewed. The clinical presentations were nonspecific in these patients. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed consistent lesions in the SCC with a hyperintensity in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and hypointensities in T1WI, which disappeared after a variable lapse. Treatment with azithromycin or combined treatment with immunomodulatory agents if necessary led to a good prognosis. The present findings indicated that radiological diagnosis of RESLES should be considered in patients with M. pneumoniae-associated encephalitis. Furthermore, serum Mycoplasma antibody is important for the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae-associated encephalitis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis and infectious diseases

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and transverse myelitis (TM) both represent immunologically mediated polyneuropathies of major clinical importance. Both are thought to have a genetic predisposition, but as of yet no specific genetic risk loci have been clearly defined. Both are considered autoimmune, but again the etiologies remain enigmatic. Both may be induced via molecular mimicry, particularly from infectious agents and vaccines, but clearly host factor and co-founding host responses will modulate disease susceptibility and natural history. GBS is an acute inflammatory immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by tingling, progressive weakness, autonomic dysfunction, and pain. Immune injury specifically takes place at the myelin sheath and related Schwann-cell components in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, whereas in acute motor axonal neuropathy membranes on the nerve axon (the axolemma) are the primary target for immune-related injury. Outbreaks of GBS have been reported, most frequently related to Campylobacter jejuni infection, however, other agents such as Zika Virus have been strongly associated. Patients with GBS related to infections frequently produce antibodies against human peripheral nerve gangliosides. In contrast, TM is an inflammatory disorder characterized by acute or subacute motor, sensory, and autonomic spinal cord dysfunction. There is interruption of ascending and descending neuroanatomical pathways on the transverse plane of the spinal cord similar to GBS. It has been suggested to be triggered by infectious agents and molecular mimicry. In this review, we will focus on the putative role of infectious agents as triggering factors of GBS and TM.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection presenting as stroke and meningoencephalitis with aortic and subclavian aneurysms without pulmonary involvement

A 39-year-old Philipino man presented with acute onset fever and headache. Neurological examination was normal except for neck stiffness. There was no history of chest pain, cough or breathlessness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed a mild increase in protein with normal sugar and lymphocytic pleocytosis. CSF PCR for herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus was negative. He developed acute right haemiplegia a week after hospitalisation. MRI showed acute infarct in the left centrum semiovale. His angiogram showed aneurysm in the left subclavian artery and aortic arch. The mycoplasma antibody test came positive with very high titres, while rest of the workup was negative. He was treated with azithromycin and his symptoms improved completely.

He was asymptomatic on follow-up after a month. His repeat immunoglobulin G mycoplasma antibody titre showed elevation. Mycoplasma infection is a treatable cause of meningoencephalitis and stroke secondary to vasculitis. Arterial aneurysms are known to occur with mycoplasma infection although rare.

The association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and speech and language impairment: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan

Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can range from self-limiting upper respiratory symptoms to various neurological complications, including speech and language impairment. But an association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and speech and language impairment has not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we aim to investigate the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and subsequent speech and language impairment in a nationwide population-based sample using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We identified 5,406 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (International Classification of Disease, Revision 9, Clinical Modification code 4830) and compared to 21,624 age-, sex-, urban- and income-matched controls on subsequent speech and language impairment. The mean follow-up interval for all subjects was 6.44 years (standard deviation = 2.42 years); the mean latency period between the initial Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and presence of speech and language impairment was 1.96 years (standard deviation = 1.64 years). The results showed that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was significantly associated with greater incidence of speech and language impairment [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23–1.80]. In addition, significantly increased hazard ratio of subsequent speech and language impairment in the groups younger than 6 years old and no significant difference in the groups over the age of 6 years were found (HR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.09–1.88 for age 0–3 years group; HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25–2.23 for age 4–5 years group; HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.54–2.39 for age 6–7 years group; and HR = 0.83, 95% CI:0.23–2.92 for age 8–18 years group). In conclusion, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is temporally associated with incident speech and language impairment.

A Rare Case of Bilateral Optic Neuritis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome Post Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

Neurological complications are the most commonly encountered extra-pulmonary manifestation of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae). Here the authors report the case of a 39-year-old woman who was admitted with acute-onset bilateral visual loss coinciding with ascending numbness. Clinical examination, neurological imaging, and nerve conduction studies revealed a syndrome of bilateral optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Serological testing confirmed recent exposure to M. pneumoniae. The patient did not experience any clinical benefit with pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone but demonstrated marked clinical and radiological improvement following 5 days of plasma exchange. This report will explore the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with neuro-ophthalmological and neurological complications of M. pneumoniae infection in addition to discussing previously encountered cases.

Cortical Blindness in a Child Secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

Our objective is to present a case of an uncommon complication associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a child where cortical blindness was the main clinical feature. Stroke due to an infection by M. pneumoniae is very uncommon. No consensus has been reached on the pathogenesis, although several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed. Occlusion of posterior cerebral circulation is the most uncommon central nervous system complication of M. pneumoniae infection being reported. Symptoms are usually hemiplegia and dysarthria. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who suffered cortical blindness due to a stroke 2 days after M. pneumoniae infection. This is the first case of documented cortical blindness due to posterior cerebral arteries occlusion in children after M. pneumoniae infection.

Acute Cerebellitis in Children: A Many-Faceted Disease

Acute cerebellitis is a rare inflammatory condition. It may have a benign, self-limiting course or present as a fulminant disease resulting in severe cerebellar damage or even sudden death. We present the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data in 9 children diagnosed with acute cerebellitis, who were identified by database search in our pediatric medical center from January 2000 to November 2014. The main presenting symptom was headache, and the main presenting sign was ataxia. Bilateral diffuse hemispheric involvement was the most common imaging finding at presentation. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most common infectious pathogen found. Treatment included steroids in all cases, antibiotics in 4, and intravenous immunoglobulins in 6. Six patients had a full recovery, and 3 had residual neurologic complications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for diagnosis. The course of acute cerebellitis varies from a commonly benign and self-limiting disease to an occasionally fulminant disease, resulting in severe cerebellar damage or sudden death.

A Compendium for Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Historically, atypical pneumonia was a term used to describe an unusual presentation of pneumonia. Currently, it is used to describe the multitude of symptoms juxtaposing the classic symptoms found in cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Specifically, atypical pneumonia is a syndrome resulting from a relatively common group of pathogens including Chlamydophila sp., and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The incidence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in adults is less than the burden experienced by children. Transmission rates among families indicate children may act as a reservoir and maintain contagiousness over a long period of time ranging from months to years. In adults, M. pneumoniae typically produces a mild, “walking” pneumonia and is considered to be one of the causes of persistent cough in patients. M. pneumoniae has also been shown to trigger the exacerbation of other lung diseases. It has been repeatedly detected in patients with bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and cystic fibrosis. Recent advances in technology allow for the rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae through the use of polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen tests. With this, more effort has been afforded to identify the causative etiologic agent in all cases of pneumonia. However, previous practices, including the overprescribing of macrolide treatment in China and Japan, have created increased incidence of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae. Reports from these countries indicate that >85% of M. pneumoniae pneumonia pediatric cases are macrolide-resistant. Despite its extensively studied past, the smallest bacterial species still inspires some of the largest questions. The developments in microbiology, diagnostic features and techniques, epidemiology, treatment and vaccines, and upper respiratory conditions associated with M. pneumoniae in adult populations are included within this review.

[Neurological symptoms due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in nine children]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is common in children. Extrapulmonary symptoms usually reveal as neurological symptoms, mainly as encephalitis with significant morbidity and mortality. Various other neurological presentations have also been reported. We describe a cohort of nine children with neurological manifestations due to M. pneumoniae infection, including five cases of encephalitis, one of polyradiculoneuritis, one of ophthalmoplegia, one of optic neuritis, and one of myositis. Progression was variable from ad integrum recovery to severe brain damage. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by PCR and/or serological follow-up, but the latter is still insufficiently used in practice to systematically affirm the diagnosis. Therapeutic management is not clearly defined and long-term progression can be uncertain despite early antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory treatments.

Chronic meningitis with intracranial hypertension and bilateral neuroretinitis following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

A previously well 12-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of headache, nausea, vomiting and left-sided weakness. He subsequently developed meningism, right abducens nerve palsy, persistent papilloedema and reduced visual acuity in association with a bilateral macular star, consistent with neuroretinitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination indicated chronic meningitis and serological testing confirmed recent Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, although PCR in CSF was negative. He was treated for aseptic meningitis with ceftriaxone, aciclovir, azithromycin and acetazolamide for intracranial hypertension, with gradual improvement in clinical condition and visual acuity over several weeks. This is the first report of M. pneumoniae chronic meningitis further complicated with bilateral neuroretinitis and intracranial hypertension. Evidence of central nervous system inflammation in the absence of direct infection suggests an immune-mediated pathophysiology. Although the use of macrolides with antibiotic and immunomodulatory activity might be beneficial, it was not possible to ascertain whether it influenced clinical recovery in this case.

Transient parkinsonism following mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Parkinsonism caused by infection is uncommon in children. We report 2 previously healthy children with acute self-limiting parkinsonism following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our case report expands the phenotype of parkinsonism associated with M. pneumoniae infection. We recommend that children with acute parkinsonism preceded by a period of febrile illness, even with a normal brain MRI, should be investigated for M. pneumoniae infection.

Novel aspects on the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and therapeutic implications

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is a leading cause of community acquired pneumonia. Knowledge regarding Mp pneumonia obtained from animal models or human subjects has been discussed in many different reports. Accumulated expertise concerning this critical issue has been hard to apply clinically, and potential problems may remain undiscovered. Therefore, our multidisciplinary team extensively reviewed the literature regarding Mp pneumonia, and compared findings from animal models with those from human subjects. In human beings, the characteristic pathological features of Mp pneumonia have been reported as alveolar infiltration with neutrophils and lymphocytes and lymphocyte/plasma cell infiltrates in the peri-bronchovascular area. Herein, we demonstrated the novel aspects of Mp pneumonia that the severity of the Mp pneumonia seemed to depend on the host innate immunity to the Mp, which might be accelerated by antecedent Mp exposure (re-exposure or latent respiratory infection) through up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 2 expression on bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. The macrolides therapy might be beneficial for the patients with macrolide-resistant Mp pneumonia via not bacteriological but immunomodulative effects. This exhaustive review focuses on pathogenesis and extends to some therapeutic implications such as clarithromycin, and discusses the various diverse aspects of Mp pneumonia. It is our hope that this might lead to new insights into this common respiratory disease.

A case of acute cerebellitis with a unique sequential change on magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Acute cerebellitis with unilateral onset is rare, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful method for demonstrating cerebellar involvement.

PATIENT

We report a 12-year-old girl with acute cerebellitis with a unique sequential change on her MRI.

RESULTS

The patient's brain MRI first revealed cortical lesions mainly in the right cerebellar hemisphere. These subsequently disappeared, and at the same time, new lesions appeared in the opposite cerebellar hemisphere. All the lesions were confined to gray matter in the cerebellum and were isotense on diffusion-weighted imaging and had high signal intensity on the apparent diffusion coefficient map, consistent with the characteristic of vasogenic edema.

CONCLUSION

The sequential MRI demonstrates conversion of hemicerebellitis to bilateral cerebellitis during subacute phase, and vasogenic edema might be contributing to the pathogenesis of acute cerebellitis in this patient.

Cerebellitis and acute obstructive hydrocephalus associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is associated with a variety of extrapulmonary manifestations, including central nervous system inflammation. A 9-year-old boy presented with acute cerebellitis and M. pneumoniae infection, resulting in obstructive hydrocephalus requiring neurosurgical intervention. This case, along with 4 similar ones reported in the literature, suggests a distinct clinicopathologic sequence caused by mycoplasma infection.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Qinbai Qingfei Concentrated Pellet on Cellular Infectivity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Aim. To study the effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellet (QQCP) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Methods. Rat airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells were used to examine the antimycoplasmal activity of QQCP via four drug-adding modes: pre- and postadding drugs, simultaneous-adding after drug and MP mixed, and simultaneous-adding drug and MP; taking roxithromycin dispersive tablets (RDT) as positive control, the cellular A₅₇₀ values were determined by MTT method. Results. All of A₅₇₀ values in QQCP group were significantly higher than those of the corresponding MP control group (P < 0.01) in four drug-adding modes; there was no significant difference in A₅₇₀ values between the QQCP group and that of the positive control group (P > 0.05), confirming that QQCP could significantly inhibit the infectivity of MP to ASM cells. Conclusion. QQCP had significant activity in preventing and treating MP infection, killing MP, and antiabsorption.

Prognostic values of a combination of intervals between respiratory illness and onset of neurological symptoms and elevated serum IgM titers in Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalopathy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze the clinical manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae)-associated encephalopathy in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Pediatric patients with positive serum anti-M. pneumoniae immunoglobulin M (IgM) were enrolled in this study. Clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory data, neuroimaging findings, and electrophysiological data were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 1000 patients identified, 11 (1.1%; male:female ratio = 7:4) had encephalopathy and were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Clinical presentation included fever, symptoms of respiratory illness, and gastrointestinal upset. Neurological symptoms included altered consciousness, seizures, coma, focal neurological signs, and personality change. Neuroimaging and electroencephalographic findings were non-specific. Specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for M. pneumoniae polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were negative. Higher M. pneumoniae IgM titers and longer intervals between respiratory and CNS manifestations were associated with worse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Clinical manifestations of M. pneumoniae-associated encephalopathy were variable. Diagnosis of M. pneumoniae encephalopathy should not rely on CSF detection of M. pneumoniae by PCR. M. pneumoniae IgM titers and intervals between respiratory and CNS manifestations might be possibly related to the prognosis of patients with M. pneumoniae-associated encephalopathy.

[Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis associated with basal ganglia necrosis]

INTRODUCTION

Severe central nervous system diseases, such as encephalitis, have been reported in association with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.

CASE REPORT

A previously healthy 5-year-old boy presented with an atypical pneumonia; he rapidly developed encephalitis revealed by lethargy, generalized status epilepticus. MRI showed abnormal signals in the basal ganglia, typical of bilateral striatal necrosis. Serologic tests for M. pneumoniae were positive, the child recovered almost completely.

CONCLUSION

M. pneumoniae infection should be considered in all cases of acute encephalopathy; yet the pathogenesis of the disorder is unknown and the treatment uncertain.

Two patients with an anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody syndrome-like presentation and negative results of testing for autoantibodies

We describe two boys whose distinct and remarkable clinical pictures suggested the possibility of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis. Both patients responded to immunotherapy, but neither manifested that antibody. Patient 1 exhibited florid encephalopathy with psychotic manifestations including inappropriate affect, intermittent delirium, visual hallucinations, severe anorexia, agitation, paranoid ideation, and abnormal electroencephalogram results. He responded to intravenous immunoglobulin, with steady improvement over 3 months to almost complete remission for 1 year, followed by a relapse that again responded, more quickly, to intravenous immunoglobulin. A second relapse occurred 1 month later, and again responded to intravenous immunoglobulin. Patient 2 exhibited progressive, severely debilitating limb dystonia that worsened over 1.5 years, with milder psychiatric symptoms including mood instability, aggressiveness, impulsivity, and depression. When he developed thymic hyperplasia 1.5 years into his illness, he underwent a thymectomy, and improved significantly on a regimen of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin. Patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of autoimmune encephalitis, but without antibodies, may still respond to immunotherapy.

Erlotinib eradicates brain metastases from epidermal growth factor receptor mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Erlotinib is active in patients with lung cancer; especially those who demonstrate a mutation in exons 18-21 in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Patients with lung cancer and brain metastases have poor prognosis as systemic chemotherapy is ineffective in treating the central nervous system (CNS) metastases due to its inability to cross the blood brain barrier. Herein, we report a case of a 61 year old female who presented with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung with bilateral cerebral and cerebellar CNS involvement. The patient's tumor harbored a mutation in exon 19 in the EGFR gene. Treatment with erlotinib was started as soon as the molecular studies were available with remarkable and complete radiographic response in the CNS disease, and complete resolution of the previously detected metastases. The patient did not receive any other CNS intervention and radiation was not given due to the lack of CNS symptoms.

Rapidly progressive dementia due to leukocytoclastic vasculitis of the central nervous system

A 70-year-old male was admitted with a 2-week progressive course of severe cognitive impairment, scoring three on the Mini Mental State Examination. MRI of the brain showed confluent hyperintense areas in T2/FLAIR in the periventricular and subcortical white matter, extending to right parietal cortex and basal ganglia. Intra-arterial angiography was unremarkable. A targeted stereotactic brain biopsy disclosed a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient improved on steroids. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis adds to the spectrum of histopathologic subtypes of primary angiitis of the central nervous system.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae-related postencephalitic epilepsy in children

PURPOSE

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common respiratory pathogen, has been implicated as an etiology of encephalitis, but there are few reports about it and postencephalitic epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors, electroencephalography, and neuroradiologic features of M. pneumoniae-related encephalitis in a series of children with postencephalitic epilepsy and to examine possible prognostic factors.

METHODS

Cases of M. pneumoniae-related encephalitis between January 2001 and June 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Systematic clinical data were evaluated.

KEY FINDINGS

The 99 enrolled patients with M. pneumoniae-related encephalitis were all positive by serology and 47 (47.5%) of them developed postencephalitic epilepsy. During the acute phase, 53 patients (53.5%) had seizures, the most common type of which was primary focal with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure (39.6%). The most common initial electroencephalography was focal/diffuse cortical dysfunction (37.4%) and focal epileptiform discharge (26.4%). The time of follow-up ranged from 6-131 months. At the end of the study, 19 (40.4%) of the 47 children with postencephalitic epilepsy had intractable seizures.

SIGNIFICANCE

Postencephalitic epilepsy is not a rare complication of M. pneumoniae-related encephalitis. Seizures in the acute phase and focal epileptiform discharges in initial electroencephalography are significant prognostic factors.

Mycoplasma pneumonia: Clinical features and management

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a common respiratory pathogen that produces diseases of varied severity ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe atypical pneumonia. Apart from respiratory tract infections, this organism is also responsible for producing a wide spectrum of non-pulmonary manifestations including neurological, hepatic, cardiac diseases, hemolytic anemia, polyarthritis and erythema multiforme. This review focuses on molecular taxonomy, biological characteristics, epidemiology, clinical presentation, radiology and various laboratory tools in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mycoplasma pneumonia.

Meningitis associated with bilateral optic papillitis following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a frequent cause for human infection, and central nervous system disease associated with M. pneumoniae infection is being reported with increasing frequency. We described herein a 60-year-old woman who developed meningitis associated with bilateral optic papillitis following M. pneumoniae infection and discussed the possible mechanisms. To our knowledge, there have been only a few reports that described the meningitis complicated by bilateral optic papillitis in association with M. pneumoniae infection. Our case highlighted the protean neurological manifestations of M. pneumoniae infection.

Complete resolution of advanced Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis mimicking brain mass lesions: report of two pediatric cases and review of literature

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a well-known cause of atypical pneumonia. CNS involvement is a relatively frequent extrapulmonary manifestation, most commonly manifesting as encephalitis in the pediatric population. We present two unusual cases of M. pneumoniae encephalitis that presented with symptoms and imaging findings suggesting mass occupying lesions, and worsening altered mental status. Biopsy of the lesions was necessary in both cases to aid with diagnosis. Histopathologic features excluded neoplasm, and established the diagnosis of encephalitis, but did not point toward its etiology. The only finding that indicated M. pneumoniae as the most likely pathogen was serum IgM positivity in the absence of any other identifiable infectious source, and complete neurologic recovery following specific anti-mycoplasmal treatment. The patients were successfully treated with antibiotics and steroids, with the second case also requiring intravenous immunoglobulin and anti-epileptics. The clinical presentation and histopathologic findings suggested an immune-mediated pathogenesis, but acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was excluded due to extensive gray matter involvement. Disease resolution despite status epilepticus and herniation in case 2 is a novel finding of the study. Current principles of diagnosis and management of encephalitis as the presenting manifestation of mycoplasmal infection are discussed.

Analysis of status epilepticus with Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis

Encephalitis is characterized clinically by fever, seizure, and an altered level of consciousness. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common respiratory pathogen, has been implicated as an etiology of encephalitis. The present study was designed to analyze status epilepticus associated with M. pneumoniae encephalitis in a series of children through retrospective review of cases between January 2002 and January 2008. Systematic clinical data were evaluated. Nine patients were identified: five girls and four boys, aged 4 years to 10 years. All were positive for M. pneumoniae by serology. Six of the nine children (67%) developed refractory status epilepticus. The major clinical symptoms included fever (100%) and upper respiratory symptoms (78%). The most common seizure type was primary focal with secondary generalized seizure (44%). The time of follow-up for this study ranged from 18 months to 86 months. At the end of the study period, two patients had died, seven had developed epilepsy or neurologic deficits, and none had returned to baseline. These data indicate that children with status epilepticus associated with M. pneumoniae encephalitis have high mortality and morbidity. Clinicians should be aware of the potential role of M. pneumoniae in status epilepticus.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in three cases

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare acquired movement disorder occurring in all age groups, predominantly in infants. Although the exact pathogenesis is still undefined, there is strong evidence for a paraneoplastic or parainfectious immune process resulting in central nervous system dysfunction. Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been implicated in a number of immune-mediated neurologic diseases [28]. However, the association of M. pneumoniae and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is not well established so far. We present three cases with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in adolescents following an infection with M. pneumoniae. Monophasic disease course and full recovery correspond to the favorable prognosis known from parainfectious cases in young adults. This should affect therapeutic consideration. OMS should be added to the spectrum of M. pneumoniae-associated neurologic complications. Nevertheless, neuroblastoma has to be ruled out in all cases of OMS.

Paradoxical brain embolism induced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with deep venous thrombus

A 21-year-old man had sudden-onset right hemiplegia and aphasia with respiratory infection. A chest X-ray disclosed consolidation in both lungs and magnetic resonance imaging showed an embolism in the left middle cerebral artery. A pelvic computed tomography scan revealed deep venous thrombus in both femoral veins. Patent foramen ovale was detected by transesophageal echocardiogram. Antibodies to M. pneumoniae were highly elevated, and hypercoagulability was subsequently detected. This case suggests that the possible pathogenic mechanism for M. pneumoniae infection-related stroke might be paradoxical brain embolism with deep venous thrombus as a consequence of the hypercoagulability related to this infection.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis developed after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection complicating subclinical measles infection

A 26-year-old man developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and was admitted after developing disturbed consciousness. Magnetic resonance images revealed lesions in the midbrain, bilateral internal capsules, left corona radiata, white matter of the left occipital lobe, and thoracic spinal cord. He was diagnosed with subclinical measles infection since no anthema was observed despite the fact that his serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples were positive for measles IgM antibodies. ADEM following mixed infection with measles and M. pneumoniae is rare, and it is not clear whether an additional infection with measles influenced the onset of ADEM after M. pneumoniae infection. Symptoms did not improve with steroid or immunoglobulin treatment, but improvement in symptoms was observed after plasmapheresis.