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Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
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Streptococcus anginosus infections: crossing tissue planes.
Bernie Y Sunwoo1, Wallace T Miller2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care Medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Chest
|October 8, 2014
Summary
Streptococcus anginosus can cause severe thoracic infections like abscesses and empyema. Recognizing its unique ability to spread across tissue planes aids in early diagnosis and treatment of these challenging infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Thoracic Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Streptococcus anginosus is a known cause of invasive pyogenic infections.
- Thoracic infections caused by S. anginosus are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Distinguishing these infections clinically can be challenging.
Observation:
- Three cases of thoracic S. anginosus infections are presented.
- These infections demonstrated radiographic extension across anatomical tissue planes.
- Observed spread included the interlobar fissure, diaphragm, and chest wall.
Findings:
- Streptococcus anginosus exhibits a propensity for abscess and empyema formation in the thorax.
- Radiographic evidence of extension across tissue planes is a notable characteristic.
- Few other infectious etiologies are known to disseminate similarly.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of thoracic S. anginosus is crucial for patient outcomes.
- The unique pattern of spread suggests S. anginosus should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Considering S. anginosus in cases of unexplained radiographic spread across tissue planes may improve diagnostic accuracy.
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