Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen in community acquired pneumonia. In severe cases extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease may be prominent. Proof of infection is found, though usually delayed, through serologic methods. A calculated therapy of community acquired pneumonia, especially in younger patients with interstitial infiltrates, should therefore include effective treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Macrolide antibiotics are the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of mycoplasma infection, alternatives include ketolides, quinolones and tetracyclines.