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» LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Is Mycoplasma Pnuemonia a Big Deal?

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Author Topic: Is Mycoplasma Pnuemonia a Big Deal?
seekhelp
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My ID doc heard some sounds in my lungs and was concerned. He ran a chest x-ray, Cpn titers, Mycoplasma IgM, Cold Agglutinin and one other test.

I just saw some results. I'm testing positive on the IgM side for Mycoplasma and an elevated cold agglutinins titer (<1:32 is normal, I'm 1:128).

Is this a real concern? Every standard webpage stated this bacterial infection is not serious and goes away on its own. Sounds like a mild flu at worst.

I just finished a 10-day course of Augmentin XR. How on earth did I get Myco when consistently taking Biaxin and other Abx for a long time? [Frown]

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Hoosiers51
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I dunno.....I test positive for this too. What does your ID doc say about it?

I can't figure out why mine doesn't go away either. Maybe it's not a big deal...I just don't know. I know for women, myco can cause miscarriage.

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sutherngrl
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I had it years ago before LD. Can't remember what my doctor gave me for it; but I was well in 1 or 2 weeks.

It might be worse when added to all the other stuff we have now; but my doctor acts like its not a big deal, so who knows. Its suppose to go away with Doxy or Mino I think.

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seekhelp
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That's good to hear it's pretty harmless. [Smile]
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keltyl
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I have it too, along with zillions of others. But I thought it was serious and hard to eradicate. Maybe I was dreaming??
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TerryK
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I did a quick search. Based on what I found, if I had an active infection, I'd find someone to treat it, especially since those with lyme are probably more prone more problems with it due to immune system issues.

Part of the problem with this infection from what I can tell is that physical manifestations may not be obvious.

Looks like it can be hard to get rid of and is strongly implicated in asthma. May also be involved in COPD and a host of other illnesses.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/966785-overview

Precedent M pneumoniae respiratory infections have also been implicated in patients who present with extrapulmonary illness. The most common sites of extrapulmonary manifestations are dermatologic (25%) and CNS (1-10%), although cardiac, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and GI symptoms have also been reported.9,6


Physical
Patients with M pneumoniae infection usually do not appear ill, and the illness often has been termed walking pneumonia.1,3,4,12,13

The pharynx may be erythematous without cervical adenopathy. Bullous myringitis is a classic but rare complication. Examination of the chest and lungs may yield little abnormality. A hallmark of M pneumoniae infection is the disparity between physical findings (relatively few) and radiographic evidence of pneumonia.32 Wheezing can occur, especially in patients with asthma.33 Rarely, fulminant pneumonia with respiratory failure can occur.15,16,18

Physical findings of genital Mycoplasma infection vary depending on the type of infection.34,35 Neonates, especially premature infants, may present with wheezing, retractions, and respiratory failure or signs of meningitis/brain abscess (eg, seizures, lethargy, neurologic deficits).30,31

Extrapulmonary manifestations of M pneumoniae infection may or may not involve respiratory symptoms and include the following:

*Dermatologic manifestations (most common)4,5,36,37,38,39,40,41,42 ◦Erythematous macular and/or morbilliform rash
◦Papulovesicular exanthem
◦Erythema multiforme
◦Stevens-Johnson syndrome (with or without the classic skin lesions)
◦Erythema nodosum
◦Mucositis
*Urticarial manifestations - Raynaud phenomenon
*Cardiac manifestations
◦Arrhythmia and/or ECG abnormalities (conduction defects)
◦Congestive failure
◦Pericarditis
◦Myocarditis
◦Endocarditis
*Neurologic manifestations5,7,43,44 ◦Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis
◦Transverse myelitis
◦Aseptic meningitis
◦Peripheral neuropathies and radiculopathies
◦Brainstem dysfunction
◦Dysfunction of the pyramidal or extrapyramidal tract
◦Cerebellar dysfunction
◦Cerebral infarction
◦Guillain-Barr� syndrome
*Musculoskeletal manifestations45,46,47,48 ◦Polyarthralgias
◦Acute arthritis (monoarticular or migratory)
◦Digital necrosis
*Hematologic manifestations
◦Immune hemolytic anemia49,43,50,51 ◦Pancytopenia
◦Splenic infarct
◦Hemophilialike illness


http://iai.asm.org/cgi/reprint/70/2/649.pdf

In conclusion, we have documented that M. pneumoniae is able to establish chronic respiratory infection, evoke chronic
pulmonary inflammation, and elicit chronic pulmonary function abnormalities in mice.

These findings provide strong evidence supporting the postulated association between M. pneumoniae
infection and chronic pulmonary disease, possibly
asthma, in humans.

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onbam
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well, it's airborne, no?
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cheekygirl
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I read last night that Augmentin (a cell-wall inhibitor type of antibiotic) will actually make Lyme Disease worse, though it may have indicate some positive effects at first.

http://books.google.com/books?id=J4TFtQeHkQAC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=lyme+disease+cell-wall+inhibitors&source=bl&ots=-rNXaY53lu&sig=7kXhi5kVl4KLIolspxIWeOm0jkA&hl=en&ei=p9ZJTNuwKISMnQ eetYSwDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=lyme%20disease%20cell-wall%20inhibitors&f=false

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TerryK
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Hi cheeky -
I'm not sure what your comment has to do with mycoplasma but neither Marshall or the author of the book are medical doctors.

Any treatment that kills borrelia will drive it into cyst form.

Terry

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seekhelp
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The Augmentin wasn't even to treat Lyme. I'm lost.
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sparkle7
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FYI -

Mycoplasma pneumonia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mycoplasma pneumonia (also known as "walking pneumonia" because its patients can sometimes continue to walk about whilst suffering from its symptoms) is a form of bacterial pneumonia which is caused by the bacteria species Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

[edit]Pathophysiology

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is spread through respiratory droplet transmission. Once attached to the mucosa of a host organism, M. pneumoniae extracts nutrients, grows and reproduces by binary fission.

Attachment sites include the upper and lower respiratory tract, causing pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. The infection caused by this bacterium is called atypical pneumonia because of its protracted course and lack of sputum production and wealth of extra-pulmonary symptoms. Chronic mycoplasma infections have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatological diseases.

Mycoplasma atypical pneumonia can be complicated by Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hemolytic anemia, encephalitis or Guillain-Barr� syndrome.

[edit]Diagnosis

M. pneumoniae infections can be differentiated from other types of pneumonia by the relatively slow progression of symptoms, a positive blood test for cold-hemagglutinins in 50-70% of patients after 10 days of infection (cold-hemagglutinin-test should be used with caution or not at all since 50% of the tests are false-positive), lack of bacteria in a gram-stained sputum sample, and a lack of growth on blood agar.

PCR has also been used.[1]

[edit]Treatment

Second generation macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin), doxycycline and second generation quinolones are effective treatments.

------

*** note - a positive blood test for cold-hemagglutinins in 50-70% of patients after 10 days of infection (cold-hemagglutinin-test should be used with caution or not at all since 50% of the tests are false-positive)

------

Deseret Biologicals has a homeopathic remedy for this if you are so inclined.

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kim812
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I tested positive for it also...
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seekhelp
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That's not encouraging Kim since you said you were basically treated with every Abx combo under the sun and didn't get better. [Frown] Maybe it's unbeatable. [Frown]
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maps
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I tested positive for this by my chronic fatigue doctor, my treatment was three months of alternating antibiotics.

The infection was not in my lungs, their seems to be two kinds.

The person most famous for the treatment and recognition was Dr.Garth Nicholson and his wife. Their daughter came back from Iraque and became very ill. It was all part of the Gulf War Syndrome. The Nicholson`s fought hard against the army to get this illness ligitamized. I believe he now works with the army.

Their are many different myco plasmas.

I would not take this too lightly as it really plays havoc with the immune system.

--------------------
1999 CFS, 2002 CMV Myco pneumonia
1 year antibiotics on and off
2002 EBV, 2009 Positive Igenex Borellia and Babesia, Brain mri severe white matter disease
Monoclonal Gammopathy. On and off antibiotics since sept. March 9 started iv antibiotics

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seekhelp
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I'm really starting to think I need a rife machine to address all these infections. Scary.
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IckyTicky
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I tested positive for Myco P as well but my LLMD wasn't as concerned with it as he was with the Lyme and RMSF. I also had antibodies for West Nile virus.

I'm wanting a rife machine reaaalll bad.

--------------------
IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND
IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+
Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF.
Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme.

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CherylSue
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Seek,

My current LLMD thinks it is a big deal. I was on doxycycline (treats myco) again for several months this winter because my titers were high. The Lyme weakens your system and previous infections activate. I also take Lauricidin pellets, at least a scoup a day. That also keeps the mycoplasma pneu. in check.

I had walking pneumonia as an early teen. This is caused by myco pneu.

I've made great strides with my second LLMD. (We shared my first LLMD.)

My second LLMD also addressed my high titers of HHV6 with some Guna homeopathy for viruses.

I'm doing much better this year. My doc also treated my adrenals with Isocort. Very good stuff. It enabled me to get off Vit B12 shots twice weekly.

Find a good LLMD that treats EVERYTHING. It really made a difference for me.

IMO,
CherylSue

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Keebler
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-
From my file notes:
---------------

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/87102

TIMACA WROTE as a reply post:

I once spoke with a mycoplasma expert. They used a different referent range....1:64, not 1.16.

In that reference range, the IgG was considered positive if the result was >=1:64 . . . Upon talking with the specialist, they MAYBE start to be concerned if the titer is >1:200.

=============================

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

PubMed Search:

mycoplasma pneumoniae - 4658 abstracts

chlamydia pneumoniae - 3632 abstracts

chronic chlamydia pneumoniae - 841

mycoplasma - 18081 abstracts

Nicolson, G. - 30

Nicolson, Garth - 16

=====================

www.immed.org

The Institute for Molecular Medicine

A nonprofit institute dedicated to discovering new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for chronic mycoplasma infections.

Work of mycoplasma researcher/author Garth Nicolson, Ph.D.

=========================

Transcript of Q & A with Prof. Garth Nicolson, PhD - May 20, 2009

Garth Nicolson, PhD - a molecular biologist and international leader in chronic illness research - hosted a Q & A May 20th on MedHelp's Autoimmune Disorders Forum.

Prof. Nicolson is founder & president of the nonprofit Institute for Molecular Medicine in Huntington Beach, California.

To read the Q & A session transcript, go to:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Autoimmune-Disorders/show/358

===========================

http://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=64y3rv (then clink "PROCEED TO THIS SITE")

May 2008 Volume 39 Number 5 LABMEDICINE
www.labmedicine.com - American Society for Clinical Pathology

Chronic Bacterial and Viral Infections in Neurodegenerative and Neurobehavioral Diseases by Garth Nicolson, Ph.D.

=========================

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol3no1/baseman.htm

Mycoplasmas: Sophisticated, Reemerging, and Burdened by Their Notoriety

- by Joel B. Baseman* and Joseph G. Tully� (February 5, 1997)

=====================

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?id=3066&t=CFIDS_FM

Mycoplasmas - The Missing Link in Fatiguing Illnesses - by Michael Guthrie, R.Ph. ( July 18, 2001)

=======================

Also to consider: Chlamydia Pneumonia

www.cpnhelp.org

Cpn Help Site - a fabulous site with lots of detail
-

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seekhelp
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THanks everyone. Not being able to handle the cycline Abx class is a bad thing for me. I get massive, massive head pressure. It sounds like there are a lot of different opinions with this stuff. [Smile]
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sparkle7
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I believe Mycoplasma Pnuemonia is different then the Gulf War Syndrome pathogens studied by Dr. Nicholson. I don't think mycoplasmas are viruses - so, anti-virals probably don't really help.

No reason to get stressed out about something that you don't need to. Gulf War Syndrome is very serious business. Mycoplasma Pnuemonia is bad but I don't think it's as bad as Gulf War Syndrome.

Interesting about the info you posted Keebler (re: Timaca).

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Rumigirl
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My understanding is that ALL mycoplasmas are serious and usually take a very long time to get rid of if you've had it a long time. Dr. B says tx takes several years usually.

And, seekhelp, your getting massive head pressure from the cyclines is from the blasted Bb! I've had the same thing, but after 2 months on rocephin, I was able to tolerate doxy, at least as low dose (100 mg BID). Whereas before, I had daily migraines from it.

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Robin123
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My LLMD recenty commented that it is common for folks to test positive to mycoplasma pneumonia, even those who don't have Lyme.
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littlebit27
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I also tested positive for it and c. pneumonie. The LLMD and another Doctor in his practice didn't seem too concerned. Just told me that it's common in Lyme and they aren't suprised.

When I asked if there was anything else I needed to do at this point (they only had me on doxy 100mg X2 a day) they said nope, everything that is being done is fine. Who knows..

--------------------
*Brittany Lyme Aware on FB*
http://littlebithaslyme.wordpress.com/

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sparkle7
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FYI-

http://www.rain-tree.com/myco.htm

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JT's Mom
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I would highly recommend that you read some of the articles on Dr. Nicolson's website.
http://www.immed.org/illness/infectious_disease_research.html

He has done a lot of research on mycoplasma infections. He even has a couple articles on mycoplasma as a common coinfection of Lyme. He very clearly states that short courses of antibiotics are not effective at eradicating this type of infection. In one of the articles, he actually recommends approx. 6+ months of abx.

I believe Eva Sapi also mentions long-term abx treatment for mycoplasma infections in a recent interview. (The interview was about borrelia, but she made a reference to mycoplasma infections.)

There have also been reports about macrolide-resistant mycoplasma infections. (You were wondering how you could get it while on Biaxin.)

I would take it seriously.

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