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Fatal necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae: a case report

So-Youn Park1, So Young Park, Soo-Youn Moon

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|January 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Necrotizing fasciitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is rare and often fatal. This case highlights a fatal instance in a patient with cirrhosis and diabetes, emphasizing the need for awareness of this severe infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, rapidly progressing infection affecting deep subcutaneous tissues and fascia.
  • Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae leading to necrotizing fasciitis are exceptionally rare in medical literature.
  • Comorbidities like liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus can increase susceptibility to severe infections.

Observation:

  • A 62-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and diabetes presented with acute leg and hand swelling.
  • Compartment syndrome rapidly progressed, necessitating surgical intervention.
  • Intraoperative findings confirmed necrotizing fasciitis.

Findings:

  • Blood and wound cultures identified Streptococcus pneumoniae as the causative agent.
  • The patient succumbed to the infection despite aggressive surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy.
  • This case represents the first reported instance of fatal pneumococcal necrotizing fasciitis with meningitis in Korea.

Implications:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, especially in immunocompromised patients.
  • Early recognition and aggressive management are critical for improving outcomes in necrotizing fasciitis.
  • Further research into pneumococcal necrotizing fasciitis pathogenesis and treatment is warranted.
Keywords:
Fasciitis, NecrotizingKoreaStreptococcus pneumoniae

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