Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as, pneumococcus individually account for 60 percent of all the community acquired pneumonias in children. However, co-infection of these two bacteria, during which both of them are present in the lungs of the patient, is also fairly common and is characterized by fever, headache, malaise and severe cough which may last for more almost a week after the treatment. Antibiotics are the drugs of choice to treat these infections.
Antibiotics
Diagnosis of the exact causative agent of pneumonia takes time and hence, initial therapy should include a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria. Tetracyclines and macrolides, such as erythromycin and roxithromycin, are some of the common antibiotics used for initial therapy, especially if mycoplasma infection is suspected. Penicillin is often prescribed if pneumococcus infection is suspected. Once the results of the laboratory tests are available and a co-infection of mycoplasma and pneumococcus has been confirmed, antibiotics effective against these microorganisms can be prescribed. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for two to three weeks and can be administered orally or intravenously depending on the condition of the patient.
As per information published in the November 1997 edition of the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, ketolides and the newer quinolones such as temafloxacin, trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin have a greater activity against mycoplasma and although, penicillin and macrolide antibiotics are commonly used to treat pneumococcus, an article published in the May 2000 edition of Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy states that the newer quinolones are highly effective against pneumococcus as well. Side effects are mild for quinolones and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Anti-pyretics
Anti-pyretics are medications that bring down the body temperature and are often prescribed to control fever that is commonly associated with the co-infection of pneumococcus and mycoplasma. These drugs, which include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, may be given orally or intravenously, if the condition of the patient is severe. MayoClinic.com, however, warns against the use of aspirin in children younger than 18 years of age due to the risk of developing a rare but serious condition known as Reye's syndrome characterized by swelling of liver and brain.
Oxygen Therapy
Shortness of breath is common sign of pneumonia caused by pneumococcus and mycoplasma and can be a potentially life-threatening condition. Such patients are prescribed oxygen therapy to replenish the reduced levels of oxygen in their body. The oxygen is supplied in metal cylinders using a face mask or a nasal canula and is generally safe.
References
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood"; Streptococcus pneumoniae andMycoplasma pneumoniae coinfection in community acquired pneumonia; P Toikka et al; July 2000
- "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy"; New quinolones---a fresh answer to the pneumococcus; Marc D. Cubbon and Robert G. Masterton; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Reye's Syndrome
- "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy"; Antibiotic susceptibilities of mycoplasmas and treatment of mycoplasmal infections; D Taylor-Robinson and C Bebear; November 1997
