Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia associated with methemoglobinemia and anemia: An overlooked association

Abstract

We report a case of acute methemoglobinemia and anemia in a patient with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.We suggest that M. pneumoniae secretes a putative protein that can induce methemoglobin in red blood cells. Thus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae may induce methemoglobinemia in patients who have low oxygen saturation and anemia.