Mycoplasma Pneumoniae-associated Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia

A 52-year-old man presented with fever, non-productive cough and progressive dyspnea for 10 days. Chest X-ray showed pneumonia and serological test for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was positive. His symptoms exacerbated in spite of antibiotics treatment. Follow-up chest X-ray and CT scan of the lungs showed bilateral air space opacifications. For further evaluation, video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy was performed and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) was diagnosed. Steroid was administered; clinical and radiographic findings then revealed marked and rapid improvements. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. If clinical symptoms deteriorated after appropriate treatment, BOOP must be considered. The key therapy of BOOP is steroid and early diagnosis is very important to avoid irreversible damage to lungs.