Rash and Mucositis in Children Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Introduction. About 25 % of respiratory mycoplasmosis cases involve skin and mucous membrane lesions. The pathogenesis of these lesions is not completely clear. Differences in pathomorphological changes apparently determine the diversity of clinical variants of the disease.

The aim of the work is to present clinical observations of patients with acute respiratory tract infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, who had lesions of the mucous membranes and skin in accordance with the definition of a typical MIRM (M. pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis) case.

Materials and methods. Two clinical cases of skin and mucous membrane lesions associated with M. pneumoniae in children treated in an infectious diseases hospital were analyzed.

Discussion. Epidermolytic dermopathies can develop in patients with respiratory tract lesions caused by M. pneumoniae and, as was previously believed, manifest themselves in various variants of mucocutaneous lesions: Stevens — Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme exudative. In 2015, a new term MIRM was proposed, which defined a clear connection between skin and mucosal lesions and a specific pathogen. Differential diagnosis of these syndromes is complex, but, according to the definition, MIRM develops against the background of respiratory lesions, mainly in adolescents and has a milder course and a better prognosis.

Conclusion. The list of diagnostic tests for children with pneumonia accompanied by mucocutaneous rashes should include the detection of M. pneumoniae markers to establish a diagnosis of MIRM, since this will determine the necessary range of treatment measures.

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