A rarely seen cause for empyema: Leuconostoc mesenteroıdes

Hanife Usta-Atmaca1, Feray Akbas, Yesim Karagoz

  • 1Internal Medicine Clinic Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. hanifeusta@yahoo.com.

Insights

This study reports a rare case of pleural empyema caused by Leuconostoc mesenteroides in a healthy individual. This finding highlights the potential for Leuconostoc infections beyond immunocompromised patients, emphasizing the need for broader clinical awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Leuconostoc species are Gram-positive, vancomycin-resistant bacteria commonly found in fermented foods.
  • Infections are typically associated with immunocompromised individuals or those with central venous catheters.
  • These bacteria play a significant role in food fermentation industries.

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