New insights into the pathogenesis and detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in persons of all ages and may be responsible for up to 40% of community-acquired pneumonias. A wide array of extrapulmonary events may accompany the infections caused by this organism, related to autoimmunity or direct spread. This review includes a discussion of the latest knowledge concerning the molecular pathological basis of mycoplasmal respiratory disease, how the organism interacts with the host immune system and its association with the development of chronic conditions such as asthma, recent emergence of macrolide resistance and the status of laboratory diagnostic methods.

Figure 1

Terminal attachment organelle of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrograph of Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells grown on glass coverslips

Electron micrograph is provided courtesy of Jennifer Hatchel and the Miami University Electron Microscopy Facility. Bar length = 1 μ.

Figure 3. Role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in chronic asthma

Initial infection in a subject with established allergic asthma and Th2-biased airway inflammation followed by chronic phase with multiple virulence factors (CARDS TX, H₂O₂, lipopeptides and direct adherence to surface immunoreceptors) contributing to maintenance of chronic airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity. CARDS TX: Community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin.