Transverse myelitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonitis: a report of two cases

Infez Med. 2001 Mar;9(1):39-42.

Abstract

The authors report two cases of transverse myelitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae occurring during a recent acute infection due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The clinical picture included weakness of the legs, bladder dysfunction, fever, headache and in one case, a mild confusional state. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a segmental edema of the lumbar tract and cerebro-spinal fluid analysis showed a mild pleocytosis and an increased level of proteins with a blood-brain barrier damage. The diagnosis of acute infection due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was made on serological criteria. The patients recovered completely after a 14-day course of an associated regimen with Ciprofloxacin (400 mg/day i.v.) plus prednisone (60 mg/day i.v.). The authors emphasise the immunological disorders in the combined infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and EBV, supposing that an infective mononucleosis may predispose to mycoplasmic transverse myelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnosis
  • Myelitis, Transverse / drug therapy
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / microbiology
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / drug therapy
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Prednisone