Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in an adolescent

Infection. 2001 Aug;29(4):240-2. doi: 10.1007/s15010-001-1173-z.

Abstract

A 17-year-old boy presented with a severe form of an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) with hemiparesis and coma after initial symptoms of a flu-like febrile infection 1 week previously. Titers against Mycoplasma pneumoniae were significantly increased in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Detection of M. pneumoniae was achieved in the initial CSF sample using M. pneumoniae-specific PCR. The patient improved significantly on antimicrobial therapy with erythromycin and immunosupressive therapy with immunoglobulins and corticosteroids. This case report demonstrates a well-documented course of a central nervous system (CNS) infection resulting in the ADEM syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / diagnosis*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Severity of Illness Index