Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
15:43

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice

Published on: March 17, 2014

Chronic Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a child after renal transplantation

Nicolaus Schwerk1, Carolin Hartmann, Ulrich Baumann

  • 1Pediatric Pulmonology and Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. schwerk.nicolaus@mh-hannover.de

Pediatric Transplantation
|June 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rare in renal transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and a three-week macrolide course can rapidly resolve long-lasting respiratory symptoms in immunosuppressed patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are uncommon in renal transplant recipients.
  • Immunosuppression in transplant patients can predispose to opportunistic infections.

Observation:

  • A 10-year-old boy presented with chronic cough, recurrent fever, and weight loss 3 years post-renal transplant (RTx).
  • Post-transplant complications included recurrent nephrotic syndrome and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).
  • Imaging revealed a lung mass, initially concerning for PTLD, but ruled out by further investigations.

Findings:

  • Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid tested positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA.
  • A three-week course of macrolide antibiotics led to rapid clinical improvement.

Implications:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considered in immunosuppressed patients with prolonged respiratory symptoms and fever of unknown origin.
  • Extended antibiotic therapy (minimum 3 weeks) is recommended for Mycoplasma pneumoniae in this population.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering atypical infections in transplant recipients with complex clinical presentations.

Related Concept Videos

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management01:16

Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management

Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
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...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...