Pulmonary embolism triggered by cold agglutinin syndrome in mycoplasma
pneumoniae pneumonia requiring VV ECMO treatment
Abstract
Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae is a common pathogen causing respiratory
infections in children. Pulmonary embolism is a rare complication that
may be life-threatening if not diagnosed early and treated promptly.
Here, we report the case of an 11-year-old patient with pulmonary
embolism associated with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. The patient developed
uncorrectable hypoxemia and received venovenous extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation treatment. Although the mechanism of thrombosis after M.
pneumoniae infection remains unknown, an increase in the cold agglutinin
titer indicates that cold agglutinin syndrome might be the mechanism of
this pathological change. Finally, the patient was cured with antibiotic
and anticoagulant therapies. Patients who have significantly increased
C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels and positive cold agglutinin after
M. pneumoniae infection should be monitored for the possibility of
thrombosis formation.