ABSTRACT
Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) is a recently defined clinical entity characterized by pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae with associated mucositis and frequent cutaneous lesions of a characteristic pattern. Although often similar in presentation, MIRM has distinct clinical and histologic features that are different from erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. We report a case of MIRM in a nine-year-old boy.
Subject(s)
Erythema Multiforme , Exanthema , Mucositis , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma , Stevens-Johnson Syndrome , Child , Erythema Multiforme/diagnosis , Exanthema/etiology , Humans , Male , Mucositis/complications , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/complications , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/diagnosis , Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/etiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that predominantly affects patients younger than 5 years. In the absence of an available, affordable diagnostic test, detailed clinical history and physical examination are still fundamental to make a diagnosis. METHODS: We present five representative cases with KD-like presentations: systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, mycoplasma-induced rash and mucositis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, BCGosis, and the recently described multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) virus. RESULTS: Rash, fever, and laboratory markers of inflammation can be present in several childhood diseases that may mimic KD. CONCLUSION: The term 'Kawasaki syndrome' instead of 'Kawasaki disease' may be more appropriate. Physicians should consider an alternative diagnosis that may mimic KD, particularly considering MIS-C during the present pandemic, as an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach is needed.