Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Causes
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Contact with contaminated secretions from the respirator passage (such as phlegm) can lead to an infection. The organism attaches itself to the mucosa of a host human, extracting nutrients and reproducing by binary fashion.
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Definition
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (shortened as M. pneumoniae) pertains to a tiny bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes. In general, Mollicutes lack a peptidoglycan cell wall, and instead have a cell membrane that contains sterol compounds similar to eukaryotic cells. These sterols are obtained from the host sterum, allowing the organism to retain its simple structure. Because of the absence of a cell wall, these organisms are therefore resistant to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics, which work by destroying the bacterial cell wall.
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Diagnosis
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections can be diagnosed based on: a physical exam; positive blood test showing cold-hemagglutinins; absence of bacteria in a gram-stained sputum sample; laboratory workup showing a lack of growth on blood agar; and imaging through X-ray.
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Symptoms and Signs
Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes an infection called atypical pneumonia. The organism typically attaches to the upper and lower respiratory tract, causing bronchitis, pneumonia, and pharyngitis. Other symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are: fever; non-productive coughing, tracheobronchitism, as well as rare non-respiratory symptoms such as cardiologic, neurologic, and skin disorders. In general, most Mycoplasma pneumoniae symptoms progress slowly, and usually mild to moderate in severity. In chronic cases, complications such as rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatological diseases may develop.
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Treatment
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are treated with antibiotics. In most cases, the infection resolves on its own within a week or a few weeks.