Pleural fluid grew Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Diagnosis: T-antigen mediated hemolytic anemia.
Treatment of the infection led to improvement and resolution of hemolytic anemia.
Streptococcus pneumoniae produces neuraminidase which cleaves N-acetylneuraminic acid, exposing the Huebner-Thomsen-Freidenreich antigen (T-antigen). The T-antigen reacts with anti-T IgM antibodies leading to T-antigen activation, which is associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome and/or hemolytic anemia.
Diagnosis: T-antigen mediated hemolytic anemia.
Treatment of the infection led to improvement and resolution of hemolytic anemia.
Streptococcus pneumoniae produces neuraminidase which cleaves N-acetylneuraminic acid, exposing the Huebner-Thomsen-Freidenreich antigen (T-antigen). The T-antigen reacts with anti-T IgM antibodies leading to T-antigen activation, which is associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome and/or hemolytic anemia.