Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma pneumoniae community-acquired pneumonia at three hospitals in Bangkok
Chutima Chaoprasong1, Nonglak Chanthadisai, Unchala Buasap
1Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and young adults. In Thailand, there has been no prospective study to evaluate the prevalence, clinical features and laboratory findings of M. pneumoniae in adult patients with CAP.
Method:
The authors prospectively investigated the cause of CAP in adult patients at three general hospitals from September 1998 to August 1999. Paired sera were tested for M. pneumoniae infection by using particle agglutination and definite diagnosis was based on a fourfold increase in antibody titer.
Results:
Seventeen (21.3%) of 80 patients had pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae. Mean age was 28.3 years old (range 18-40). The most common clinical manifestations were cough (100% of cases), fever (82.4% of cases), and headache (47% of cases). Eighty-eight per cent of these patients were classified as class I category, according to the ATS guideline. All patients had a white blood cell count between 4,000-12,000 cells/mm3. In addition, the common radiographic manifestations were alveolar shadowing (53%), and mixed alveolar and interstitial shadowing (29.4%). Sixteen cases (94%) were treated with the appropriate antibiotic and all patients survived without complication.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that M. pneumoniae is a common cause of CAP in Bangkok, Thailand. This type of pneumonia usually occurs in young adults and can usually be treated as ambulatory patients.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young adults in Bangkok. This study found it in 21.3% of adult CAP cases, with typical symptoms like cough and fever.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and young adults.
- No prior prospective studies in Thailand evaluated M. pneumoniae in adult CAP patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of M. pneumoniae in adult CAP patients in Thailand.
- To describe the clinical and laboratory features of M. pneumoniae CAP in adults.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of adult CAP patients at three general hospitals (September 1998 - August 1999).
- Paired sera tested for M. pneumoniae using particle agglutination.
- Definite diagnosis based on a fourfold increase in antibody titer.
Main Results:
- Seventeen (21.3%) of 80 CAP patients had M. pneumoniae pneumonia.
- Mean age was 28.3 years; common symptoms included cough (100%), fever (82.4%), and headache (47%).
- Radiographic findings included alveolar shadowing (53%) and mixed alveolar/interstitial shadowing (29.4%); all patients survived.
Conclusions:
- M. pneumoniae is a significant cause of CAP in Bangkok, Thailand.
- This pneumonia commonly affects young adults and is often treatable as an outpatient condition.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology