Severe disseminated lung disease and bronchiectasis probably due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Severe disseminated lung disease causing acute respiratory failure developed in a previously healthy 6 1/2-year-old boy. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was implicated and a complement-fixing antibody titre of 1:1024 against this organism was detected. At autopsy bronchiectasis was found, affecting chiefly the right middle and lower lobes. The unusual radiologic and pathologic findings are discussed.