Clinical and Imaging Characteristics of a Patient With Community-Acquired Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children and young adults, accounting for up to 40% of community-acquired pneumonia cases. The diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia is primarily clinical. Chest radiography is the gold standard for confirmation, but it is not routinely recommended. In severe cases, tomographic imaging is necessary. The objective of this work is to present the case of a patient with pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae acquired in the community who was treated at the Hospital de Cienfuegos. This is a 51-year-old man of white skin color, of urban origin, without toxic habits, with a personal pathological history of arterial hypertension for three years, with regular treatment; Type 2 diabetes mellitus, with glycemic control through diet, in addition to a referred history of venous insufficiency, which was admitted to the hospital for the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia. It progressed towards severity, but the proper use and interpretation of the clinical and imaging elements allowed the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae to be reached. Adequate medical care and recovery of the patient was achieved.