Life-Threatening Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Abstract

PNEUMONIA caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is usually a mild and self-limited infection. However, several overwhelming or fatal instances have been reported, usually in individuals with underlying systemic disease. 1 We shall describe a previously healthy young man who became critically ill with pneumonitis caused by this organism. His clinical course and response to therapy are presented to further characterize the nature of severe pneumonitis due to M pneumoniae . Report of a Case A 25-year-old man was hospitalized after two days of fever, chest pain, and cough productive of scant, yellow sputum. His temperature was 38.8 C (102 F); blood pressure, 120/90 mm Hg; pulse, 100 beats per minute, and respirations, 20/min. Dullness and bronchial breath sounds were noted at the lung bases. The remainder of the physical examination showed no abnormalities. The peripheral white blood cell count was 8,600/cu mm, with a normal differential. Serum cold agglutinins were absent. A