Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated organising pneumonia in a 10 year old boy

Abstract

We describe a 10 year old boy with organising pneumonia associated with acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The diagnosis of organising pneumonia was made by open lung biopsy and the M pneumoniae infection was proven serologically. Antibiotic and long term corticosteroid treatment resulted in steadily improving pulmonary function monitored by spirometry. The introduction of anti-inflammatory treatment with NSAIDs/immunosuppressive agents in order to spare steroids was well tolerated and resulted in further improvement of the pulmonary function. To our knowledge this is the first documented case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated organising pneumonia to be reported in a child.

Figure 1

Results of spirometry tests.

Figure 2

Computed tomography scan images: (A) initial presentation prior to therapy; (B) after four months of steroid therapy.

Figure 3

Open lung biopsy showing partly acute and subacute inflammation process.