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Acute pneumococcal epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1980
Abstract:
3 cases of acute bacterial epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults are reported. All were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, an unusual pathogen in this disease. Only 1 other case of acute bacterial epiglottitis also due to S. pneumoniae has been reported in an immunocompromised adult. The occurrence of this disease in 4 immunocompromised adults suggest that an Arthus reaction may not be important in the pathogenesis of acute epiglottitis due to S. pneumoniae.
Insights
Acute bacterial epiglottitis is rare in immunocompromised adults. Streptococcus pneumoniae, an unusual pathogen, was identified in three cases, suggesting alternative disease mechanisms beyond Arthus reactions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Acute bacterial epiglottitis typically affects children.
- Immunocompromised adults are rarely affected by epiglottitis.
Observation:
- Three cases of acute bacterial epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults were observed.
- All cases were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a pathogen not commonly associated with epiglottitis.
Findings:
- This study reports three cases of acute bacterial epiglottitis in immunocompromised adults caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- This is only the second report of epiglottitis due to S. pneumoniae in an immunocompromised adult.
Implications:
- The occurrence of epiglottitis due to S. pneumoniae in immunocompromised adults may indicate different pathogenic mechanisms.
- The findings suggest that Arthus reactions might not be crucial in the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae-induced epiglottitis in this population.