Empyema due to severe Pasteurella multocida treated with quinolone: a case report

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Ahmed Abdelkarim1, Abdullah Almohammadi, Abdulmohsin AhmadJee

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care, The University of Toledo Medical center, Toledo, OH.

American Journal of Therapeutics
|June 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A penicillin-allergic patient with Pasteurella multocida empyema, a cat-associated infection, was successfully treated with Levofloxacin. This highlights an effective alternative antibiotic for Pasteurella multocida infections in penicillin-sensitive individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida (PM) is a common gram-negative coccobacillus.
  • Typically acquired via cat scratches or bites.
  • Penicillin is the standard treatment for PM infections.

Observation:

  • A 56-year-old female with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking history presented with PM empyema.
  • The patient had a history of contact with domestic cats.
  • She had a known penicillin allergy.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment of PM empyema was achieved using Levofloxacin.
  • Levofloxacin served as an effective alternative to penicillin.
  • This case demonstrates a viable therapeutic option for penicillin-allergic patients.

Implications:

  • Levofloxacin can be considered for treating Pasteurella multocida infections in penicillin-allergic patients.
  • This finding is crucial for managing empyema in individuals with specific comorbidities and allergies.
  • Broadens treatment options for bacterial infections acquired from animal contact.

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