Lung abscess caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Pediatr Int. 2015 Aug;57(4):773-5. doi: 10.1111/ped.12644. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

Abstract

A 10-year-old boy with West syndrome was referred to hospital because of high fever and cough. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed consolidation with an abscess in the right upper lobe. Laboratory data indicated cytokine storm. Various antibacterial agents and additional corticosteroid were unable to control the hypercytokinemia, which was suppressed after cyclosporine A was started. The lung abscess remained, however, and right upper lobectomy was performed. Culture from the abscess showed no growth, while polymerase chain reaction assay indicated Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA. Serum passive agglutinin titer for M. pneumoniae was significantly elevated in the convalescent phase. These findings are strong evidence that the lung abscess was caused by M. pneumoniae infection.

Keywords: Mycoplasma pneumoniae; child; hypercytokinemia; lung abscess.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung Abscess / diagnosis
  • Lung Abscess / microbiology*
  • Lung Abscess / therapy
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / microbiology*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Cyclosporine