Mycoplasma infection and hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia due to cold agglutinin disease is a known complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection but is rarely observed. An example of the clinical course of such hemolytic anemia is presented, and laboratory findings of the cases reported mainly in Japanese journals, are summarized. Autoantibodies against erythrocyte membrane "I" antigen arise by the interaction of "I" antigen with M. pneumoniae is suspected, since "I" antigen is shown to be a receptor of this agent. Corticosteroid therapy is sometimes necessary for the treatment of marked anemia.