Severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections with prolonged fever in a child: Delayed treatment is as important as macrolide resistance

J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2021 Apr;54(2):333-335. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.04.014. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

We report a 7-year-old girl who got Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with prolonged fever. Macrolide was used on day 14 of illness but fever persisted with progressive lung consolidation. Oral prednisolone was administered on day 33 then fever subsided with dramatically clinical improvement (decreased CRP and resolution of lung consolidation). In this case, delayed effective antibiotic treatment with inflammation may be the major factor contributing to the fever rather than ongoing infection.

Keywords: Children; Delayed treatment; Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fever*
  • Humans
  • Macrolides / therapeutic use*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / drug therapy*
  • Time-to-Treatment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Macrolides
  • Azithromycin