An Atypical Presentation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection Mimicking Acute Surgical Abdomen in an Adult

Jia Yi Lim1, Timothy Wenham2

  • 1Internal Medicine, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Barnsley, GBR.

Cureus
|November 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause severe abdominal pain in adults, mimicking surgical emergencies. Early recognition of this atypical presentation is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae commonly causes atypical pneumonia, often with extrapulmonary manifestations.
  • Extrapulmonary symptoms are frequently observed in children but less documented in adults.
  • Gastrointestinal involvement, including severe abdominal pain, is an uncommon presentation of M. pneumoniae in adults.

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