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Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma pneumoniae ecephalitis
Ari Bitnun1, Elizabeth Ford-Jones, Susan Blaser
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes between 5 and 10 percent of acute childhood encephalitis in Europe and North America. Encephalitis due to this organism may be caused by direct infection of the brain, immune-mediated brain injury or thromboembolic phenomenon. The prognosis is guarded with 20 to 60 percent suffering neurologic sequelae. The diagnosis of M. pneumoniae encephalitis should be based on strong evidence of M. pneumoniae infection that includes detection of the organism in culture or using molecular detection techniques in addition to serology and exclusion of other potential etiologies. Antibiotic therapy should be considered for all children with suspected M. pneumoniae encephalitis; antibiotics with good central nervous system (CNS) penetration such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, chloramphenicol or azithromycin are appropriate under most circumstances. Immune modulating therapies, such as corticosteroids, intravenous immune globulin or plasmapharesis, should be considered in those with immune-mediated syndromes such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
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