Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 1

type

Answer 1

Short rod, lacks
rigid cell wall -
unreactive gram
stain; intrinsically
resistant to beta
lactam antibiotics
- gliding motility

Question 2

transmission and risk factors

Answer 2

Person-person
via air droplets
IT:1-4 wks
Outbreaks
lasts monthsmilitary,
college,
prisons
<40 yrs pts
Does not
require host for
replication

Question 3

presentation

Answer 3

Atypical walking pneumonia
Mycoplasma gets cold
(agglutination) without a
coat (cell wall)

Question 4

pathogenesis

Answer 4

1. P1 adhesion: attaches
   and inhibits ciliated
   epithelium
2. H2O2 production →
   initial tissue destruction
   in respiratory tract &
   damage to erythrocyte
   membrane
3. Community acquired
   respiratory distress
   syndrome(CARDS)
   toxin: leads to
   cytotoxic effect on the
   respiratory epithelium
   during acute infection

Question 5

diagnostic

Answer 5

Slow growth on
special media
Serology:
- Cold
agglutination:
non specific test
+50-70% after 1
week. DO NOT
EXCLUDE if
negative
>4 fold increase
or decrease in
titers or a single
titer >1:32
supports the
diagnosis