| Clinical
Features |
Majority with upper respiratory
tract infections with fever, cough, malaise, and headache.
May lead to tracheobronchitis with fever and nonproductive
cough: radiologically confirmed pneumonia develops in 5-10%
of cases; rare extrapulmonary syndromes, including cardiologic,
neurologic, and dermatologic findings. |
| Etiologic
Agent |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a
small bacterium. |
| Incidence |
Each year an estimated 2 million
cases and 100,000 pneumonia-related hospitalizations occur
in the United States. |
| Sequelae |
Persistent cough is common during
convalescence; other sequelae are rare. Fatal cases are reported
occasionally, primarily among the elderly and persons with
sickle-cell disease. |
| Transmission |
Person-to-person transmission by
contact with respiratory secretions. Incubation period is
1 to 4 weeks. |
| Risk
Groups |
Persons of all ages are at risk
but rarely children less than 5 years old. It is the leading
cause of pneumonia in school-age children and young adults.
Outbreaks can occur especially in crowded military and institutional
(e.g., college) settings. Outbreaks in these settings can
last several months. |
| Surveillance |
No national surveillance system
exists. |
| Trends |
Unknown. However, with improved
diagnostic testing, more cases may be identified. |
| Challenges |
Diagnosis of acute infections remains
difficult; therefore, early recognition of outbreaks has been
problematic. Challenge: prevent secondary cases in outbreak
by prompt initiation of control measures. |
| Opportunities |
Basic diagnostic strategy in clinical
practice includes serology and standard polymerase chain reaction
(PCR). New diagnostic techniques (PCR-related methods) may
enable more rapid diagnosis. Exploration of the role of M.
pneumoniae in community-acquired pneumonia and as a potential
cofactor in severe pneumonia. |
|
December 2003
|
