MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIA INFECTION IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN IN COPENHAGEN 1963-65

Severe necrotizing pneumonitis in a child with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Lower respiratory tract illness due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is typically mild and self-limited. There are, however, numerous reports of serious and life-threatening cases of mycoplasma pneumonia in adults. We present a case involving a 4-year-old girl with severe mycoplasma infection and necrotizing pneumonitis requiring lobectomy. A detailed pathological report is provided.

Mycoplasma infections of the human respiratory tract

The knowledge on the role of M. pneumoniae in human respiratory tract infections especially in infants and children has advanced in the past two decades. The understanding of its incidence, clinical presentations, pathology & pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, complications and late sequelae, treatment, prevention and epidemiological aspects place it as an important aetiological agent in the pediatric patients. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all pneumonias. Further studies are needed to solve many observations on the role of mycoplasma in diseases of man.