[Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in intrathoracic abscesses--a case report]

The case of a 52-year-old patient with intrathoracic abscesses following a traumatic fracture of the 11th thoracic vertebral body is described. The abscesses were resistant to conventional antibiotic therapy and attempts at local drainage under CT scan control remained unsuccessful. Finally, chlamydia pneumoniae was isolated using an immunofluorescence technique. Subsequent therapy with doxycycline caused complete resolution of the abscesses. We suggest that in cases of atypical pneumonias and abscesses, infection with chlamydia pneumoniae should be taken into consideration.