A community-acquired lung abscess attributable to odontogenic flora

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Dentistry

Background:

• Lung abscess is an infectious pulmonary disease.
• Indolent community-acquired lung abscesses can mimic tumors.
• Periodontitis is a common oral infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an indolent lung abscess caused by periodontitis.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and treatment of such cases.
• To emphasize the link between oral health and pulmonary infections.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 56-year-old male with persistent cough and hemoptysis.
• Diagnostic imaging (CT scan) and CT-guided percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy.
• Bacteriological detection and next-generation sequencing for etiology.
• Pathogen-directed oral antibiotic therapy and oral care.

Main Results:

• CT scan revealed a lung mass, initially suspected as a tumor.
• Biopsy showed inflammatory cells and bacteria, ruling out malignancy.
• Odontogenic flora identified as the cause, linked to periodontitis via sequencing.
• Successful treatment with antibiotics and oral care, leading to remarkable improvement.

Conclusions:

• Periodontitis is a potential cause of lung abscess.
• Early diagnosis and pathogen-directed treatment are crucial.
• Integrating dental health assessment into pulmonary infection management is recommended to prevent recurrence.