Primary atypical pneumonia is one of the most severe types of manifestation, with tracheobronchitis being the most common symptom and another 15% of cases, usually adults, remain asymptomatic.
Non-pulmonary symptoms such as autoimmune responses, central nervous system complications, and dermatological disorders have been associated with M. pneumoniae infections in up to 25% of cases.
The infection caused by this bacterium is called atypical pneumonia because of its protracted course and lack of sputum production and wealth of non-pulmonary symptoms.
[1] Historically, the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections was made based on the presence of cold agglutinins (though this method should be used cautiously due to its mediocre and poor sensitivity and specificity, respectively).
[2][4] Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) serological assays are the most common method of M. pneumoniae detection used in patient diagnosis due to the low cost and relatively short testing time.
[1] Neither of these methods, along with others, has been available to medical professionals in a rapid, efficient and inexpensive enough form to be used in routine diagnosis, leading to decreased ability of physicians to diagnose M. pneumoniae infections.
[5] The majority of antibiotics used to treat M. pneumoniae infections are targeted at bacterial rRNA in ribosomal complexes, including macrolides, tetracycline, ketolides, and fluoroquinolone, many of which can be administered orally.
[1][7] The most common macrolides used in the treatment of infected children in Japan are erythromycin and clarithromycin, which inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding 23S rRNA.
[9] Using network theory, Meyers et al. analyzed the transmission of M. pneumoniae infections and developed control strategies based on the created model.
They determined that cohorting patients is less effective due to the long incubation period, and so the best method of prevention is to limit caregiver–patient interactions and reduce the movement of caregivers to multiple hospital wards.
[3] The incidence of disease does not appear to be related to season or geography; however, infection tends to occur more frequently during the summer and fall months when other respiratory pathogens are less prevalent.
[1][2] Transmission of M. pneumoniae can only occur through close contact and exchange of aerosols by coughing due to the increased susceptibility of the cell wall-lacking organism to desiccation.
Outbreaks of M. pneumoniae infections tend to occur within groups of people in close and prolonged proximity, including schools, institutions, military bases, and households.