Pediatric Mycoplasma Infections Treatment & Management

  • Author: Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 28, 2010
 

Medical Care

Antimicrobial therapy is not necessary for mycoplasmal infection of the upper respiratory tract.

An increase in macrolide-resistant M pneumoniae has been reported .[57] This resistant form can be associated with prolonged severe respiratory infection in children.[58] Although pneumonia is self-limiting and is not life threatening in most patients, treat it with appropriate antimicrobials to shorten the duration of illness and perhaps reduce spread to contacts.

Management of genitourinary diseases in which Mycoplasma species may play a role depends on recognizing the clinical syndromes for which antimicrobial therapy may be appropriate. Consider using antimicrobials that are active against mycoplasmal organisms in nongonococcal urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Extrapulmonary complications are likely to be associated with an autoimmune response; thus, immunosuppressive therapy using steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin may be helpful.[43, 59]

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Surgical Care

Surgical treatment is typically not needed.

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Consultations

Although consultations are usually not needed, in severe cases, admission to the ICU and consultation with critical care specialists, pulmonologists, and infectious disease physicians may be warranted. In patients who present with extrapulmonary manifestations, consult appropriate subspecialists.

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Activity

Activity is as tolerated by the patient.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD  Professor of Pediatrics, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Pharmacy, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Chief of Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Creighton University School of Medicine; Hospital Epidemiologist and Medical Director of Infection Control, Children's Hospital

Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Catherine O'Keefe, DNP, APRN  Assistant Professor of Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Creighton University Medical Center

Catherine O'Keefe, DNP, APRN is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and Nebraska Nurse Practitioners

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Rosemary Johann-Liang, MD  Medical Officer, Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics, Division of Special Pathogens and Immunological Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration

Rosemary Johann-Liang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Larry I Lutwick, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical School; Director, Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, Brooklyn Campus

Larry I Lutwick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Speaking and teaching; MedImmune Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sanofi Pasteur Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Baxter Healthcare Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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General characteristics of Mycoplasma species.
 
 
 
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