Analysis of clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumonia

Objective To investigate the clinical features and changes of the chest imaging characteristics of patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia.Methods A prospective study for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in 13 patients with high fever was carried out.Throat washing fluid specimen were detected for common respiratory pathogens by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions.Immunoglobulin M(IgM) to common respiratory pathogens in serum samples were detected by immunofluorescene tests.Chest X-ray and computed tomography for all the patients with fever were studied during hospitalizations.Results The major symptoms of the patients were high fever and dry cough.Serum IgM to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive in all patients.The most common imaging presentations were unilateral and(or) bilateral multi-focal or solitary patchy opacities in 13 patients.Pulmonary consolidation was found only in one patient.Azithromycin therapy was effective for all patients.Conclusion The patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia were contagiousness,their symptoms were severe,but no special physical signs were found.Chest computer tomograhy scan is a more sensitive technique for observation of Mycoplasma pneumonia than chest X-ray examination.Serum IgM test is a useful method for diagnosis of Mycoplasma pnuemoniea infection.