Essay

English
“WHAT IS MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIA?”

BY:

NAME : ASTRIANI SAUH SATAONG

NIM : 821423026
CLASS : S1-C FARMASI
SUPPORTING LECTURER: Dr. Suleman Bouti, S.Pd,
M.Hum

BACHELOR OF PHARMACY STUDY PROGRAM

PHARMACEUTICAL DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF SPORTS AND HEALTH
GORONTALO STATE UNIVERSITY
2023
 BAB I
INTRODUCTION
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of bacteria that causes upper respiratory tract
diseases, especially pneumonia. This bacterium is unique because it does not have a cell wall,
which makes it resistant to several types of antibiotics. Mycoplasma pneumonia infection can
cause symptoms such as cough, fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. It is important to
identify and treat with appropriate antibiotics as it can cause serious complications if left
untreated.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a common cause of atypical pneumonia, which is often
referred to as "walking pneumonia" because the symptoms are mild so that a person is still
able to carry out activities. The infection usually spreads through airborne droplets and can
affect people of all ages, but is more common in teenagers and young adults. Diagnosis of
mycoplasma pneumonia often involves a physical examination, clinical history, and
laboratory tests such as serology or PCR. Treatment involves the use of antibiotics such as
azithromycin or doxycycline. Although symptoms are often mild, keep in mind that this
infection can cause complications such as lung inflammation, pericarditis, or problems with
the nervous system.
Prevention efforts include maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people, and
adhering to respiratory hygiene measures. Awareness of mycoplasma pneumonia is important
for proper management and prevention of the spread of infection.
It is also important to remember that mycoplasma pneumonia often has a long
incubation period, during which a person can be a carrier without showing symptoms.
Therefore, early recognition and appropriate treatment are very important in reducing the risk
of spreading this disease. In addition, because mycoplasma pneumonia is resistant to several
types of commonly used antibiotics, such as beta-lactams, choosing the right antibiotic
according to medical guidelines is key in treating this infection.
When symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing appear, immediately
consult a medical professional for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. An in-depth
understanding of mycoplasma pneumonia not only helps in treating individuals but also
contributes to efforts to prevent the spread of this disease in society.
Keep in mind that although mycoplasma pneumonia generally has a good prognosis,
some individuals, especially those with already compromised health, can experience serious
complications. These complications can include deeper lung infections, lung damage, or
autoimmune reactions. It is also important to understand that a vaccine to prevent
mycoplasma pneumonia is not yet commonly available, so preventive measures such as
maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding high exposure to sick individuals remain crucial.
Given the nature of this bacterium that can develop in unpredictable ways, research is
ongoing to understand more about mycoplasma pneumonia and to develop more effective
treatment and prevention strategies.
Additionally, keep in mind that mycoplasma pneumonia can also occur seasonally,
with spikes in cases occurring more frequently in the winter and early spring. Awareness of
these patterns can help authorities and health professionals take proactive steps to manage
and control the spread of infections. It is important to educate the public about the symptoms
of mycoplasma pneumonia, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and
prevention of respiratory infections in general. Steps such as routine influenza vaccination
can also help reduce the risk of complications when a person is exposed to mycoplasma
pneumonia.
 BAB II
DISCUSSION
According to a journal article from Margaret R Hammerschlag, Current opinion in
infectious diseases 14 (2), 181-186, 2001, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of
community-acquired respiratory infections in children and adults. Although the organism is
felt to be the most frequent ‘atypical’pathogen responsible for community-acquired
pneumonia in adults, the prevalence of M. pneumoniae varies greatly from study to study,
depending on the population and the diagnostic methods used. Recent studies have found the
prevalence of M. pneumoniae in adults with pneumonia to range from 1.9 to over 30%. M.
pneumoniae is also a frequent cause of outbreaks of respiratory disease in institutional
settings. However, the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection is hampered by the lack of
standardized, rapid, specific methods. This problem was illustrated by the results of an
investigation of an outbreak of M. pneumoniae infection in a federal training facility.
Accurate diagnosis required a combination of polymerase chain reaction and serology, as
IgM antibodies were not present early in the course of the infection in many patients. Several
papers evaluating various serological and polymerase chain reaction assays were published
during the period of this review. An assessment of the actual performance of these tests was
also hampered by the lack of standardized comparative methods. M. pneumoniae is
susceptible in vitro to macrolides, tetracyclines and quinolone antibiotics; however, data are
limited on the microbiological efficacy of these agents. Several pneumonia treatment studies
were published during this period, practically all of them based the diagnosis of M.
pneumoniae infection on serology; different methods and criteria were used in each study,
and thus the microbiological efficacy could not be assessed. The Infectious Disease Society
of America recently stated in their revised Practice Guidelines for the Management of
Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults that, as there were no diagnostic tests available
that reliably and rapidly detect M. pneumoniae, therapy must usually be empirical.
And supported by journal articles from Ken B Waites, Deborah F Talkington
Clinical microbiology reviews 17 (4), 697-728, 2004, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a unique
bacterium that does not always receive the attention it merits considering the number of
illnesses it causes and the degree of morbidity associated with it in both children and adults.
Serious infections requiring hospitalization, while rare, occur in both adults and children and
may involve multiple organ systems. The severity of disease appears to be related to the
degree to which the host immune response reacts to the infection. Extrapulmonary
complications involving all of the major organ systems can occur in association with M.
pneumoniae infection as a result of direct invasion and/or autoimmune response. The
extrapulmonary manifestations are sometimes of greater severity and clinical importance than
the primary respiratory infection. Evidence for this organism's contributory role in chronic
lung conditions such as asthma is accumulating. Effective management of M. pneumoniae
infections can usually be achieved with macrolides, tetracyclines, or fluoroquinolones. As
more is learned about the pathogenesis and immune response elicited by M. pneumoniae,
improvement in methods for diagnosis and prevention of disease due to this organism may
occur.
 BAB III
CLOSING
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that causes upper respiratory tract disease. It
is important to seek medical care if you experience symptoms such as cough, fever, and
shortness of breath. Keep your hands clean and avoid contact with infected people to prevent
the spread. Consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is also important to remember that mycoplasma pneumonia can affect anyone, but is
more common in children and young adults. Diagnosis is usually made through a physical
examination, blood tests, and other tests. Treatment involves certain antibiotics, and it is
recommended to follow the doctor's instructions and take the full amount of medication even
if the symptoms have subsided. Additionally, adequate rest and hydration can aid recovery. If
symptoms persist or worsen, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
After recovery, it is necessary to maintain lung health by avoiding exposure to
cigarette smoke and air pollution. Creating a clean and healthy environment around you can
also help prevent the spread of infections. Talking to your doctor about pneumonia
vaccination is also a wise step to protect yourself from more serious lung infections. Continue
to monitor your health and immediately consult a medical professional if suspicious
symptoms arise.
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