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Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a cofactor in severe respiratory infections

N Cimolai1, D Wensley, M Seear

  • 1Department of Pathology, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|November 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections may act as a cofactor, worsening severe bacterial or viral illnesses. This bacterium may alter local respiratory immunity, structure, and function, increasing disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory tract infections.
  • Secondary bacterial or viral infections can complicate primary respiratory illnesses.
  • The role of M. pneumoniae as a cofactor in severe respiratory disease is not well understood.

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