Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
06:04

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Published on: February 24, 2023

[Extrapulmonary complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections]

Małgorzata Wiśniewska-Ligier1, Teresa Woźniakowska-Gesicka, Anna Sobańska

  • 1III Klinika Pediatrii Instytutu Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki w Łodzi.

Przeglad Lekarski
|April 3, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause serious extrapulmonary symptoms in children, including joint and neurological issues. Early diagnosis and specific antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing these severe manifestations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of atypical pneumonia in children.
  • While typically mild, it can lead to complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, especially with extrapulmonary involvement.

Observation:

  • This study investigated three pediatric cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with extrapulmonary manifestations.
  • Cases included exudative gonitis, arthralgia in hip and knee joints, and abducens nerve paresis.
  • Notably, none of the patients presented with respiratory symptoms.

Findings:

  • Two cases of joint involvement were preceded by Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the same joints.
  • Elevated inflammatory markers were observed only in the exudative gonitis case.
  • Antibody titers (IgM, IgG, IgA) were analyzed for each case.

Implications:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considered in pediatric cases presenting with extrapulmonary symptoms, even without respiratory signs.
  • Extrapulmonary manifestations, particularly affecting joints and the nervous system, necessitate prolonged, targeted antibiotic therapy.
  • The co-occurrence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Borrelia burgdorferi in joint infections suggests a potential role for aberrant immune responses.

Related Concept Videos

Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
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...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.01:25

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: