Fusobacterium Nucleatum Empyema: An Atypical Presentation

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Fusobacterium nucleatum is a common oral bacterium.
• It can cause various infections, including lung infections and empyema.
• Atypical presentations of F. nucleatum lung infections are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an atypical case of empyema caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum.
• To highlight the clinical presentation and successful treatment of this infection.
• To emphasize the importance of considering bacterial causes in patients with unexplained weight loss.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 40-year-old male patient.
• Evaluation included thoracic computed tomography (CT) and pleural fluid drainage.
• Identification of Fusobacterium nucleatum in pleural fluid.
• Treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Main Results:

• A loculated pleural effusion was identified on thoracic CT.
• Purulent fluid drained from the lung, yielding Fusobacterium nucleatum.
• The patient recovered after 27 days of treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Conclusions:

• Empyema due to Fusobacterium nucleatum can present atypically with only weight loss and night sweats.
• F. nucleatum lung infections typically respond well to common antibiotics.
• Differential diagnosis for unexplained weight loss should include atypical bacterial infections.