Severe sepsis with Stevens Johnson syndrome caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae – case presentation

Background Mycoplasma pneumoniae is widely known as the etiological agent of “atypical pneumonia”, the most common clinical aspects of the infection being bronchiolitis and acute tracheobronchitis. It can also determine extrapulmonary manifestation such as ear, nose and throat infections, neurological, cardiac or dermatological manifestations. Dermatological involvement is second most common, after respiratory infections, and it can vary from urticaria-like rashes to Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is severe form of immunecomplex–mediated hypersensitivity complex characterized by a hallmark of skin lesions spanning from mild forms to extensive involvement of skin and mucosa. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or it can be drug induced.