Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations as complication of an infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and subsequent development of disseminated acute encephalitis

Optic neuritis as sign presentation of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

“…ADEM is usually seen in prepuberal patients preceded by a viral infection or post vaccination [ 1 , 2 ], and less frequently post-bacterial infection caused by Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella, Campylobacter and Streptococcus [ 7 ], but main causes are measles, rubella and chickenpox [ 8 ]. It is unclear whether central nervous system affection is due to direct Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection or antibodies produced against this pathogen cross-react with myelin antigens [ 7 ].…”

“…It is an important differential diagnosis in demyelinating diseases in prepuberal patients. Antibiotic treatment in controversial, it was not used in our case [ 8 ]. Visual prognosis in optic neuritis due to ADEM is good when it is diagnosed early and treated aggressively [ 3 ].…”