Mycoplasma pneumonia

Caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, whereas simple pneumonia can be caused by various bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens. Mycoplasma feeds inside T-cells, the immune response cells that should fight them in the first place. That is why they are so hard to get rid of without an outside cure. 
 

Atypical presentation: Mycoplasma pneumonia often presents as atypical pneumonia, characterized by milder symptoms, gradual onset, non-productive cough, and extrapulmonary manifestations (such as sore throat, headache, muscle aches and rashes) in addition to respiratory symptoms.
 

Mycoplasma pneumonia is one of the smallest bacteria that attacks humans, it lacks a cell wall, making it resistant to most antibiotics, such as penicillin, that target cell wall synthesis. Simple pneumonia-causing bacteria have cell walls and can be targeted by a broader range of antibiotics.
 

Transmission: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from person to person, while simple pneumonia can have various modes of transmission depending on the causative agent (e.g., airborne, direct contact).
 

Radiological findings: Chest X-rays or imaging of individuals with Mycoplasma pneumonia may show patchy or diffuse infiltrates, whereas simple pneumonia may present with lobar consolidation or other characteristic patterns depending on the infecting organism.
 

Treatment: Mycoplasma pneumonia requires specific antibiotics such as macrolides or tetracyclines, because normal antibiotics target bacteria cell walls which mycoplasma doesn't have.

Complications: Mycoplasma pneumonia is associated with extrapulmonary complications like skin rashes, neurological disorders (such as encephalitis), and hemolytic anemia. When not treated, it can infect ears and lead to deafness.

Diagnosis:

Mycoplasma is often misdiagnosed with normal pneumonia of viral origin. In fact, it is very problematic to diagnose because you need to see blood results. A combination of: high CRP, high total IgE, high neutrocytes, low lymfocytes and normal other results may indicate that you deal with mycoplasma. You can test IgM and IgE against mycoplasma in blood serum. The lab test takes ~4 days, but can be false-negative when the infection is in a severe state. The best way to get diagnosed is to visit a Medical Doctor that has at least 20 years of pulmonary experience and can perform USG of lungs to see the changes. Such a specialist will also know if there is a current outbreak in your region or not.