ARDS and Cerebral Infarction Complicating Mycoplasma Pneumonia in Sickle Cell Trait

A patient with Down\u27s syndrome and sickle cell trait developed the adult respiratory distress syndrome and cerebral infarction during infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The slow recovery of pulmonary function was unrelated to antimicrobial therapy. Sickle cell trait may be a risk factor for severe M. pneumoniae infection. The possible underlying mechanism for this relationship is explored, and the relationship between sickle cell trait, cold agglutinins, and the cerebral infarction is discussed