Infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and its importance as an etiological agent in childhood community-acquired pneumonias

Abstract

This manuscript reviewed the literature on infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae with emphasis on etiological aspects of childhood community-acquired pneumonias. Bibliogiaphicil research was cirri6d out from Pubmed Medline, MDConsult, HighWire, LILACS, and direct researchover the past 10 years with the-following keywords: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, pneumonia, and childhood. Fifty-four articles were selected. Mycoplasma-pneumoniae has a high incidence in childhood. Clinical presentation includes respiratory and extrarespiratory symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae lung infection can be confused with viral or bacterial pneumonia and is unresponsive to bita-lactams. In addition, co-infections have been reported. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection occurs in all age groups, being less freguent and more severe in children under the age of five. Its incidence as a causal agent is high. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections constitute 20%-40% of all community-acquired pneumonias; the severity is highly variable, and this condition may lead to severe sequelae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae frequency is underestimated in clinical practice because of the lack of speciflc features and a diagnosis that needs serology, or PCR. Effective management of M. pneumoniae infections can usually be achieved with macrolides. In Brazil, epidemiological studies are needed in order to assess the incidence of this bacterium. © 2007 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.