Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 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

Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in three cases

Benedikt Maria Huber1, Susi Strozzi, Maja Steinlin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare neurological disorder. This study links Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection to OMS in adolescents, suggesting it should be recognized as a potential cause.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare movement disorder with unclear pathogenesis, often linked to paraneoplastic or parainfectious immune responses.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a known pathogen implicated in various immune-mediated neurological conditions.
  • The specific association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome remains poorly established.

Observation:

  • This study presents three adolescent cases of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome.
  • All three cases occurred following an infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • The patients experienced a monophasic disease course with full recovery.

Findings:

  • The findings establish a link between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in adolescents.
  • The observed favorable prognosis and full recovery align with parainfectious cases in young adults.
  • This association suggests that Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considered within the spectrum of neurological complications.

Implications:

  • The established association necessitates considering Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a potential trigger for OMS.
  • The favorable prognosis in these cases may influence therapeutic strategies for OMS.
  • It remains crucial to rule out neuroblastoma in all patients diagnosed with OMS, regardless of potential infectious triggers.

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...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...