Can Mycoplasma pneumonia cause white lung?
Mar 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xiao Ning
Introduction
Mycoplasma pneumoniae may lead to white lung. In some special cases, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection might cause severe pulmonary lesions, resulting in white lung. If Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is not timely controlled, the inflammation may continue to worsen, with large amounts of inflammatory exudates accumulating in the alveoli and pulmonary interstitium. When the exudates reach a certain level, the lungs may exhibit white areas on imaging studies.
Generally speaking, mycoplasma pneumonia may lead to white lung. The specific analysis is as follows:
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a lung infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In the early stages of the disease, mycoplasma infection primarily causes interstitial lung inflammation, with congestion, edema, and infiltration of lymphocytes and monocytes in the alveolar septa. At this stage, imaging findings typically show blurred-edged patchy shadows, and white lung may not be present.
However, in some special cases, mycoplasma pneumonia can trigger severe lung lesions leading to white lung. If the condition is not promptly controlled, the inflammation may progressively worsen, with large amounts of inflammatory exudate accumulating continuously in the alveoli and interstitial spaces. When the exudate reaches a certain level, imaging may reveal white areas in the lungs. Mycoplasma infection can also provoke a strong immune response in the body. Overactivation of immune cells may cause widespread lung tissue damage while eliminating the pathogen, leading to worsening of parenchymal and interstitial lung lesions and severely impaired gas exchange function, which may manifest as imaging changes resembling white lung.
It is important to rest adequately, drink plenty of water, maintain good indoor air circulation, follow medical advice for standardized medication, closely monitor changes in body temperature and symptoms such as coughing, eat light and easily digestible food, and enhance nutrition to promote recovery.
