title: Central nervous system manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.
abstract: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with several manifestations from the central nervous system (CNS) such as encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, acute transverse myelitis, stroke, and polyradiculopathy. In the current paper epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data on these manifestations are reviewed. The M. pneumoniae induced immune dysregulation and its contributing role in the pathogenesis of neurological insult is discussed. The recent introduction in clinical practice of newer molecular diagnostic techniques has helped in establishing a firmer association between M. pneumoniae infection and CNS disease especially encephalitis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential association between M. pneumoniae infection and several CNS manifestations. The role of various anti-microbial or immunomodulating therapies in treating such manifestations should be further explored.
authors.affiliation: 4th Academic Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 1 Rimini Street, Xaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece. tsiodras@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsiodras
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kelesidis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kelesidis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stamboulis
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Giamarellou
mesh_terms: D020806:Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000382:microbiology; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000382:microbiology; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000382:microbiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000382:microbiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000382:microbiology