Mycoplasma pneumoniae CAP, Rash, and Mucositis

Investigators from University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, and Children’s Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland, conducted a prospective study to determine the frequency of mucocutaneous disease in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and describe the clinical features in these patients. Study participants were children with CAP diagnosed at University Children’s Hospital Zurich during a 12-month period. The diagnosis of CAP was based on British Thoracic Society guidelines, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of oropharyngeal swab samples was performed to identify M pneumoniae as the causative agent. Mucocutaneous disease was defined as any eruptive lesion on the skin or mucous membranes. Study patients were considered to have mucocutaneous disease secondary to M pneumoniae only if PCR test results were …