Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated myelitis: a comprehensive review

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Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
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Published on: February 24, 2023

S Tsiodras1, Th Kelesidis, I Kelesidis

  • 1Fourth Academic Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. tsiodras@med.uoa.gr

European Journal of Neurology
|February 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections can cause severe central nervous system complications like acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Further research using molecular diagnostics is needed to confirm M. pneumoniae

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Myelitis, including acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), is a severe central nervous system complication associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.
  • While M. pneumoniae is implicated, the exact causal link and pathogenesis in these neurological syndromes require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and classify existing literature on Mycoplasma spp.-associated ATM and ADEM with spinal cord pathology.
  • To consolidate information on the diagnosis, epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, neuroimaging, and treatment of these rare neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of cases of Mycoplasma spp.-associated ATM and ADEM with dominant spinal cord pathology.
  • Classification of cases based on the strength of evidence implicating M. pneumoniae as the causative agent.

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a potential cause of ATM and ADEM, particularly those with significant spinal cord involvement.
  • The review compiles data on various aspects of these rare neurological syndromes, highlighting diagnostic challenges and therapeutic considerations.

Conclusions:

  • The precise role of M. pneumoniae in ATM/ADEM syndromes necessitates further investigation, particularly utilizing advanced molecular diagnostic techniques.
  • Immunomodulating therapies show promise as a treatment strategy for these M. pneumoniae-associated neurological complications.

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