Studies on Mycoplasma Pneumoniae in Patients Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness

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Abstract
From 1963 to 1967 a prospective clinical and aetiological study was undertaken on 1128 patients hospitalized for acute respiratory illness. Complement fixation (CF) tests to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and respiratory viruses and antilysin or CF tests against bacteria were carried out. Sputa and specimens from nasopharynx or throat were cultured for potentially pathogenic bacteria and MP. A significant titre rise against MP antigen was noted in 22% of 598 patients with pneumonia, in 4% of 530 patients with acute respiratory illness without pneumonia, and in 1% of 177 patients with aseptic meningitis. The correlation between isolation of MP and serological results is discussed. Patients with CF titre rise to MP were analysed with respect to age, seasonal incidence, and clinical picture. Signs and symptoms were compared with patients with pneumonia of other or unknown aetiology; only minor differences were found. A frequent occurrence of multiple serological reactions was noted. 64% of the patients with CF titre rises to MP antigen also developed significant titre rises against viral and/or bacterial and/or Bedsonia group antigen.

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