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A case of meningoencephalitis associated with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Shunsuke Koga1, Naruhiko Ishiwada, Yoshiko Honda

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. shunsukekoga@yahoo.fr

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|September 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause encephalitis in children. Minocycline may be a treatment option for pediatric meningoencephalitis caused by this resistant pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Neuroinfectious diseases
  • Antimicrobial resistance

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of community-acquired pneumonia.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae can also lead to neurological complications, including meningoencephalitis, particularly in children.
  • Macrolide antibiotics are a common treatment for M. pneumoniae infections.

Observation:

  • This report details a pediatric case of meningoencephalitis.
  • The patient was diagnosed with an infection caused by macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • The clinical presentation involved neurological symptoms suggestive of encephalitis.

Findings:

  • The pediatric patient presented with meningoencephalitis.
  • Laboratory tests confirmed infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae resistant to macrolide antibiotics.
  • This case highlights a specific instance of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae causing severe neurological disease in a child.

Implications:

  • Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric encephalitis.
  • Alternative antibiotic treatments, such as minocycline, may be necessary for severe or resistant cases.
  • Clinicians should be aware of emerging antimicrobial resistance patterns in common pediatric pathogens affecting the central nervous system.

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