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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction
Published on: February 24, 2014
Lung abscess caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B
Yuhei Ito1, Hirokazu Toyoshima2, Takehiro Suzuki3
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ise Red Cross Hospital, Ise, Japan.
Abstract:
Lung abscess has been considered to be a rare complication of pneumococcal infection, and most cases are reported to be Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3. A 67-year-old man presented with fever and was diagnosed to have lung abscess caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 6B. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin for the isolate was 1 μg/mL. He was treated with high-dose intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin as definitive therapy based on susceptibility testing for S. pneumoniae and recovered successfully without surgical intervention. S. pneumoniae serotype 6B can cause lung abscess.
Insights
Pneumococcal lung abscess is rare, with most cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3. This study reports a successful recovery from lung abscess caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 6B using antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lung abscess is an uncommon complication of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.
- Most reported cases involve S. pneumoniae serotype 3.
- The clinical significance of other serotypes, like 6B, in causing lung abscess is less understood.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male presented with fever and was diagnosed with a lung abscess.
- The causative agent was identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B.
- The isolate showed a penicillin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 μg/mL.
Findings:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B was confirmed as the cause of lung abscess in this patient.
- High-dose intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin therapy was effective.
- Successful treatment was achieved without the need for surgical intervention.
Implications:
- This case highlights that Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B can cause lung abscess.
- It underscores the importance of susceptibility testing for guiding antibiotic selection in S. pneumoniae lung abscess.
- The findings suggest that non-serotype 3 S. pneumoniae strains should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung abscess.
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