Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common organism causing pneumonia in school-going children. Although the disease is usually mild, it can rarely lead to severe extrapulmonary complications which may be life-threatening. We hereby report a case of an 8-year-old male child who presented with fever, cough, a maculopapular rash, and difficulty in breathing for 8 days who, after initially receiving treatment as community-acquired pneumonia with synpneumonic effusion, went on to develop severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia and cerebral venous thrombosis with features of vasculitis. With utilization of DNA polymerase chain reaction along with other laboratory parameters, the diagnosis of MP infection was made. The child was treated with oral clarithromycin, pulse dose methylprednisolone, low-molecular-weight heparin, and intravenous immunoglobulin while he also required mechanical ventilation, transfusions, and vasopressor support. He responded to these measures and survived with no neurological sequelae.