Relationship between Chest Radiography and Cell-mediated Immunity in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Ham, Yong Dae; Yoo, Jae Il; Jeong, Jin Hwa; Lee, Jeong Ho; Cho, Jong Dae

Abstract

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonias have been one of the most common causes of lower respiratory tract diseases during childhood. It is suggested that pathologic changes seen in the lung tissues were the histologic expression of the host immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the chest radiographic pattern of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and the level of the cell-mediated immunity of the host.
METHODS
Chest radiographic changes and the results of tuberculin skin test (5TU PPD) were studied during the acute stage of infection in 76 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Chest radiographic findings were used to divide the patients into two groups; one group had a predominance of diffuse reticulonodular infiltration (Group A; n=40), while the remainings showed a predominance of segmental or lobar consolidation (Group B; n=36). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of age, gender, total leukocyte and lymphocyte count, mycoplasma antibody titer, severity of pneumonia, and pleural effusion.
RESULTS
Sixty out of 70 patients had negative tuberculin skin test and the positive rate of PPD reaction was higher in Group A (14/40) compared to Group B (2/40) (P<0.05). Pleural effusion was observed significantly more often in Group B (10/36) than in Group A (2/40) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between Group A and B in age, gender, total leukocyte and lymphocyte count, mycoplasma antibody titer and severity of the disease (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that the cell-mediated immunity of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia might influence the radiographic pattern of the pulmonary lesions.