A cause of atypical pneumonia

Often affects young patients, epidemic of mycoplasma pneumonia classically occur every 4 years

PC

• Disease has a prolonged and gradual onset
• Flu-like Sx classically precede a dry cough
• erythema multiforme

Investigations

Labs:

• Causes a cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• Positive cold agglutition test

Serology:

• Method of diagnosis

Imaging:

• CXR - Bilateral consolidation

Management

Abx - doxycycline or a macrolide (e.g. erythromycin/clarithromycin)