Mycoplasma pneumoniae: An unrecognized cause of pyrexia of unknown origin

Objective To find out the incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in patients with pyrexia of unknown origin. Design Prospective study. Setting University Paediatric Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya. Method Patients presenting with fever of more than 7 days with no obvious reason for its occurrence (PUO) to University Paediatric Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya from January to November 2003, were included. Patients with features of lower or upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, hepatitis, meningitis, myositis and arthritis were excluded. Routine tests for continuous fever viz. full blood count, test for malaria parasites, ESR, urine full report, urine culture, blood picture, SAT, chest x-ray, Paul-Bunnel test, hepatic transaminases and blood cultures were done in all patients. Mycoplasma antibody titre was done in each patient using the particle agglutination test. Results There were 40 patients. Age distribution was 2-12 years. 10 patients had mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, mycoplasma antibody titres ranging from 640-20,480. Conclusion 10 out of 40 (25%) children with PUO were due to mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.