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Hemophagocytic Syndrome Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Yuji Koike1, Nao Aoki

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Disaster Medical Center, 3256 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014, Japan.

Case Reports in Pediatrics
|August 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) in children. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and steroids are crucial for successful outcomes in these rare cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infections are common in children and can lead to immunological complications.
  • Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), also known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a rare but severe hyperinflammatory condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced hemophagocytic syndrome in a child.
  • To highlight the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and successful management of this condition.

Main Methods:

  • A case study of a 7-year-old Japanese girl diagnosed with HPS.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed using the HLH-2004 criteria, including fever, splenomegaly, cytopenias, elevated triglycerides, and high ferritin levels.
  • Peripheral blood smear analysis revealed erythrophagocytosis by monocytes/macrophages.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with fever, splenomegaly, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, and extremely high ferritin levels.
  • Erythrophagocytosis was observed in the peripheral blood smear.
  • Successful treatment was achieved with clarithromycin and prednisolone.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can precipitate hemophagocytic syndrome in susceptible children.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for Mp-associated HPS.
  • Prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment are vital for patient recovery.

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