Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 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

Combined Striatum, Brain Stem, and Optic Nerve Involvement due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an Ambulatory Child

Jin-Won Bae1, Hak-Jin Kim, Gregory Youngnam Chang

  • 1Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Busan, Korea.

Case Reports in Neurology
|June 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis in children can present with varied symptoms. This case highlights a unique presentation involving optic neuritis and ophthalmoplegia, expanding the known clinical spectrum of this infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen in children.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis is a rare but serious neurological complication.
  • Typical presentations involve encephalopathy with extrapyramidal symptoms and basal ganglia lesions on MRI.

Observation:

  • A child presented with acute unilateral optic neuritis and ophthalmoplegia.
  • The patient did not exhibit extrapyramidal symptoms.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging revealed characteristic striatal involvement.

Findings:

  • This case expands the recognized clinical spectrum of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated encephalopathy in children.
  • The findings suggest that neurological manifestations can vary significantly.
  • Ocular and cranial nerve involvement may occur without typical extrapyramidal signs.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalopathy with atypical neurological signs in children.
  • Early recognition and diagnosis are crucial for appropriate management and improved outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to understand the diversePathophysiological mechanisms underlying M. pneumoniae-associated encephalitis.

Keywords:
Basal gangliaMycoplasma pneumoniaOptic neuritis

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...
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...
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:
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...
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...