In June, an 18-year-old man develops a sore throat with a fever and a nonproductive cough that develops into pneumonia with a severe, prolonged hacking cough but little sputum production. Cryoagglutinins are present. He is treated appropriately and successfully with azithromycin. What is the nature of the most likely causative agent?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mycoplasma is a common cause of pneumonia in teenagers and young adults. During the course of the infection, some autoagglutinating antibodies (cold agglutinins) may be formed against red blood cells. The antibodies are inactive at normal body temperature, but agglutinate red blood cells at 4°C.

In June, an 18-Year-Old Man Develops a Sore Throat with a Fever