Adult epiglottitis, cellulitis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia

Described is an adult with acute epiglottitis, cellulitis of the neck and chest, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. Although this syndrome is usually associated with Haemophilus influenzae type b, this case illustrates that in adults a similar syndrome can be produced by S. pneumoniae. The failure to determine an etiologic agent in approximately two thirds of reported adult cases of epiglottitis raises the question as to whether S. pneumoniae, a common adult respiratory pathogen, might fill this etiological void. To establish such an association between S. pneumoniae and acute epiglottitis would be further impetus to immunize patients against S. pneumoniae.