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Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs usually caused by a type of bacteria or virus. Respiratory infection from bacteria-like Mycoplasma causes the atypically mild symptoms referred to as 'walking pneumonia'.

* What Is Pneumonia? *

Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs and small airways of the lungs fill with liquid, and cannot function properly. When gas exchange is impeded, the body cannot take in oxygen as it normally would. Oxygen is vital to the body's cells, where it is needed for aerobic respiration; the breakdown of food to obtain energy for cellular work.

* Causes of Pneumonia *

Pneumonia can have many different causes: viral, bacterial, fungal or, in the case of aspiration pneumonia, may result from the inhalation of substances such as caustic chemicals, food or vomit. Mycoplasmal is a type of bacterial pneumonia.

* Bacterial Pneumonia *

Of the different types of pneumonia, bacterial tends to be the most serious and, in adults, the most common. Bacterial pneumonia may follow influenza or even the common cold, particularly in the elderly or immune compromised.

Mycoplasma are a type of bacteria that cause a specific, mild variety of pneumonia. Unlike many other types of bacteria, Mycoplasma can perform very few metabolic functions for themselves, and are considered the perfect model of the minimalist cell, believed to contain the absolute minimum amount of cellular machinery necessary for survival. None are free-living. They are strictly parasites in a wide range of organisms, including humans.

Mycoplasma can colonize the mucous membranes of the respiratory and urinary tracts, and therefore are commonly associated with infections of the lungs and urinary tract (UTIs). At least forty-six species of Mycoplasma have been identified, but of these, only a few are able to cause disease in humans.

* Primary Atypical Pneumonia *

* Organism: Mycoplasma pneumoniae

* Symptoms: The early symptoms of pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae-fever, malaise, headache and sore throat-are not typical signs of pneumonia, hence the name Primary Atypical Pneumonia. Symptoms can last for several weeks, but are rarely severe enough to result in hospitalization or death. Because symptoms are mild, this illness is commonly known as "Walking Pneumonia".

* Transmission and Diagnosis: Mycoplasma pneumoniae are spread through the nasal secretions of people in close contact. Primary Atypical pneumonia most commonly occurs in children between the ages of 5 and 15. It is difficult to diagnose, and not being a reportable disease, the actual incidence is unknown. Unlike pneumococcal pneumonia, Primary Atypical Pneumonia is not seasonal, and cases occur throughout the year.

* Other Diseases Linked to Mycoplasma *

In addition to causing pneumonia, Mycoplasma have been linked with several mysterious chronic diseases, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia syndrome, gulf war syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

* Sources *

Bauman, R. (2005) Microbiology.
Park Talaro, K. (2008) Foundations in Microbiology.

* This article contains a brief summary of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia. It s not intended for use in self-diagnosis. If you are ill, see your health care provider.

Learn more about this author, Tami Port MS.
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