Pulmonary and thoracic infection by Fusobacterium nucleatum

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Fusobacterium nucleatum is an anaerobic oral bacterium.
• It can cause local and remote infections, rare in pediatric cases.
• This case highlights an unusual presentation in an immunocompetent child.

Observation:

• An 11-year-old female presented with cough, night sweats, and chest wall swelling.
• Imaging revealed left-sided pneumonia with pleural and chest wall invasion.
• A thick, foul-smelling fluid was drained during thoracotomy.

Findings:

• Standard cultures and tuberculosis tests were negative.
• Hematology ruled out neoplastic lesions.
• Anaerobic culture identified Fusobacterium nucleatum.
• The patient received penicillin and amoxicillin with positive clinical and radiological outcomes.

Implications:

• Fusobacterium nucleatum can cause extra-oral infections, including pneumonia with chest wall invasion, in immunocompetent individuals.
• Dental procedures may be a potential source of such infections.
• Clinicians should consider this pathogen in pediatric patients with unexplained pneumonia and chest wall involvement.