Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a rare cause of encephalitis, and adult fatalities have yet to be reported. We report a fatal case of presumed Mycoplasma encephalitis with a description of associated pathologic features.
REPORT OF A CASE
A 29-year-old man previously in excellent health was admitted to University Hospital, Baltimore, with a five-day history of frontal headaches, fever, photophobia, and confusion. The patient was well developed, with a temperature of 38.3 °C. Results of general physical examination were unremarkable, and neurologic examination revealed agitation, disorientation, but no focal findings.Lumbar puncture was traumatic; cell count showed 26 lymphocytes, three leukocytes, and 730 RBCs; the protein level was 58 mg/dL; glucose level was 64 mg/dL, with a serum value of 95 mg/dL. Gram's stain, acid fast, India ink, VDRL test for syphilis, and cultures were negative. Blood cell count included a hemoglobin value of 14.1 g/dL; WBC count of 7,100/cu mm, with