[Carditis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Clinical aspects and therapeutic problems]

A clinical case of carditis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a 65 year-old woman is reported in order to stress some clinical features and therapeutic problems; during a 5-year follow-up. On the basis of this experience it is possible to state that in the pathogenesis an autoimmune mechanism probably plays an important role, whereas in therapy specific antibiotics are not effective and a long-term treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is necessary.