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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:04
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in the elderly
Naoyuki Miyashita1, Kazunobu Ouchi, Kozo Kawasaki
1Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. nao@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Summary
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia is uncommon but not rare in the elderly. Symptoms are similar to younger adults, but fever is less severe, complicating diagnosis in older patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
- Elderly individuals are susceptible to CAP, but M. pneumoniae infections are less frequent in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in elderly patients.
- To compare M. pneumoniae pneumonia in elderly versus younger adults.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 210 hospitalized patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia over 15 years.
- Comparison of clinical data between patients aged 60 years or older and those younger than 60.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients (>=60 years) constituted 15.2% of M. pneumoniae pneumonia cases.
- Elderly patients had higher rates of comorbidities and additional etiological factors.
- Fever magnitude was lower, and diagnostic sensitivity of CAP guidelines was reduced in the elderly.
Conclusions:
- M. pneumoniae pneumonia is not rare in the elderly, despite lower frequency.
- Clinical presentation and severity are similar between elderly and younger adults, with low mortality.
- Distinguishing M. pneumoniae pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia is challenging in the elderly.
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