Fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

We report fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a 7-year-old white boy. The diagnosis was based on relevant clinical material, absence of any other infections, a 4-fold rise in titer of complement fixation for M. pneumoniae and open lung biopsy findings. We discuss the association between M. pneumoniae and autoimmune mechanism.