MYCOPLASMA-PNEUMONIAE INFECTIONS IN PEDIA TRIC-PATIENTS

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are common in pediatric patients and cause a wide spectrum of manifestations due both to the organism itsel f and to the immune response of the host. The respiratory tract is the main target. M. pneumoniae is the second most common cause after pneu moniae of community-acquired pneumonia in children, and is even the le ading cause in some recent studies. Primary atypical pneumonia is the best known but not the most common presentation. Contrary to widely he ld beliefs, M. pneumoniae infections can occur in patients younger tha n five years. M. pneumoniae infection should be considered in patients with exacerbations of chronic conditions including sickle cell anemia , asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Extrarespiratory infections are common, and although they are usually accompanied with a respiratory tract in fection, they can occur alone. The definitive diagnosis rests on micro biological studies. However, these are not indispensable in every case , and modern techniques have not solved all the diagnostic problems ra ised by M. pneumoniae. Macrolide therapy is warranted in respiratory t ract infections. The role of corticosteroid therapy remains to be dete rmined.