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Pleural empyema due to Salmonella: a case report
1Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
|September 19, 2000
Summary
Salmonella infection rarely affects the lungs, with only two prior cases of Salmonella empyema in Korea. This report details a successful treatment of Salmonella group B empyema in a diabetic patient, highlighting effective antimicrobial therapy and thoracentesis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Pleuropulmonary involvement in Salmonella infections is exceptionally rare.
- Salmonella empyema, a severe form of lung infection, has been documented infrequently, with only two previous cases reported in Korea.
- Diabetes mellitus can increase susceptibility to severe infections.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old female diabetic patient presented with symptoms of right flank and lower chest pain.
- Chest radiographs showed fibrostreaky and hazy densities in the right lower lung field and blunting of the right costophrenic angle.
- Thoracentesis yielded turbid, yellowish pleural fluid.
Findings:
- Blood and pleural fluid cultures confirmed Salmonella group B infection.
- The patient's condition improved following antimicrobial therapy and repeated therapeutic thoracentesis.
- This case adds to the limited literature on Salmonella empyema.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Salmonella in the differential diagnosis of empyema, even in rare presentations.
- Effective management involves prompt diagnosis, appropriate antimicrobial treatment, and pleural fluid drainage.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for Salmonella-related pleuropulmonary infections is warranted.