Mycoplasma pneumoniae: nervous system complications in childhood and review of the literature

YİŞ U., Kurul S. H., Cakmakci H., Dirik E.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, vol.167, no.9, pp.973-978, 2008 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 167 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00431-008-0714-1
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.973-978
  • Keywords: nervous system, complication, Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important pathogen which causes nervous system disorders during or after the course of a respiratory tract infection. The exact pathogenic mechanism which causes neurological disorders still remains unknown. Although meningoencephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis are common complications, there are few cases of acute transverse myelitis and isolated abducens nerve palsy associated with M. pneumoniae infection in childhood. The association between ocular myasthenia gravis and M. pneumoniae infection has not been described before. Here, we describe five patients with different nervous system complications associated with M. pneumoniae infection and discuss the pathological features of central nervous system involvement.