肺炎支原体主要是一种粘膜病原体,但在疾病过程中,其可能会产生全身性播散。[10]Johnson SM, Bruckner F, Collins D. Distribution of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma salivarium in the synovial fluid of arthritis patients. J Clin Microbiol. 2007;45:953-957.http://jcm.asm.org/content/45/3/953.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17122006?tool=bestpractice.com[36]Daxboeck F, Khanakah G, Bauer C, et al. Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in serum specimens from patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia by PCR. Int J Med Microbiol. 2005;295:279-285.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16128402?tool=bestpractice.com 其可能具有细胞内生活方式,可使其逃避免疫系统的攻击。[37]Katz B, Waites K. Emerging intracellular bacterial infections. Clin Lab Med. 2004;24:627-649.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15325059?tool=bestpractice.com它可产生毒素,从而引起持续咳嗽,对该病原体的免疫应答可促进哮喘的急性恶化。[38]Kannan TR, Baseman JB. ADP-ribosylating and vacuolating cytotoxin of Mycoplasma pneumoniae represents unique virulence determinant among bacterial pathogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006;103:6724-6729.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16617115?tool=bestpractice.com[39]Johnston SL, Martin RJ. Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a role in asthma pathogenesis? Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005;172:1078-1089.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15961690?tool=bestpractice.com
已从无菌部位分离出脲原体种、人型支原体和生殖支原体,说明他们具有侵袭能力,这可能会促进感染发生。[2]Waites KB, Katz B, Schelonka RL. Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas as neonatal pathogens. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2005;18:757-789.http://cmr.asm.org/content/18/4/757.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16223956?tool=bestpractice.com