Severe Intravascular Hemolysis and Acute Kidney Injury Triggered by Mycoplasma-Associated Cold Agglutinin Disease: A Case Report.

Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection commonly causes mild respiratory illness, but cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) is an uncommon extrapulmonary complication. CAS typically results in mild, predominantly extravascular hemolysis; however, severe intravascular hemolysis and acute kidney injury...

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Published in:Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports Vol. 19; pp. 1 - 6
Main Authors: Elmezayen, Ziad W., Adi, Mohammad
Format: case study tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. 3/18/2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: 3/18/2026
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        atl: Severe Intravascular Hemolysis and Acute Kidney Injury Triggered by Mycoplasma-Associated Cold Agglutinin Disease: A Case Report.
      aug:
        au:
          Elmezayen, Ziad W.
          Adi, Mohammad
        affil: Faculty of Medicine, Kafr Elsheikh University, Egypt
      sug:
        subj:
          Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune Diagnosis
          Pneumonia, Mycoplasma Complications
          Hemolysis
          Kidney Failure, Acute
          Diagnostic Tests, Routine
          Rare Diseases
          Female
          Middle Age
          Blood Transfusion Methods
          Hemodialysis
          Severity of Illness
          Respiratory Tract Infections Complications
          Fatigue Etiology
          Jaundice Etiology
          Anuria Etiology
          Early Diagnosis
          Coombs' Test
          Immunoglobulins
          Serology
          Antibiotics Therapeutic Use
          Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Methods
          Creatinine Blood
          Agglutination Tests
          Recovery
          Kidney Function Tests
          Physical Examination
          Biological Markers
          Rituximab Administration and Dosage
          Emergency Service
          Radiography, Thoracic
          Kidney Ultrasonography
          Administration, Oral
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Female
      ab: Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection commonly causes mild respiratory illness, but cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) is an uncommon extrapulmonary complication. CAS typically results in mild, predominantly extravascular hemolysis; however, severe intravascular hemolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI) are rare. Case presentation: A 59-year-old woman presented with profound weakness, jaundice, dark urine, and anuria following a mild upper respiratory illness. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe intravascular hemolysis, markedly elevated LDH activity, undetectable hemoglobin (Hb) level, hemoglobinuria, and AKI. Direct antiglobulin testing was positive for C3d only, and the cold agglutinin titer was markedly elevated (1:2048). Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM serology was positive. She required warmed blood transfusions, antibiotics, thermal protection, and continuous renal replacement therapy. Over 10 days, hemolysis-related laboratory parameters and serum creatinine level improved significantly. Conclusion: This case illustrates a rare and severe form of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-associated CAS presenting with massive intravascular hemolysis and AKI. Early recognition and supportive interventions—particularly warmed transfusions and renal support—were critical to recovery. Clinicians should consider cold agglutinin-mediated hemolysis in patients with dark urine and AKI following respiratory infection.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        case study
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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