Mucositis bij longontsteking door Mycoplasma

Background

The pathogen Mycoplasma pneumonia is a frequent cause of respiratory tract infections, especially in adolescents. Less well known is that this infection may also be associated with extrapulmonary manifestations including M. pneumonia associated mucositis (MPAM).

Case description

A 19-year-old Dutch man was admitted to the hospital with severe mucositis, stomatitis, bilateral conjunctivitis, urethritis and mild exanthema on his arms. He had a one-week history of coughing and fever. Thorough microbiological investigations were implemented. After a few days both the IgM titre and polymerase chain reaction investigations for M. pneumonia from a throat swab taken on admission proved to be positive. Treatment with doxycycline resulted in rapid improvement in clinical condition. All mucosal lesions almost healed within two weeks.

Conclusion

M. pneumonia infections may be associated with the triad of stomatitis, conjunctivitis and urethritis in the absence of extensive skin manifestations. The prognosis is favourable.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.