Related Experiment Videos
Lung abscess due to Streptococcus mitis: case report and review
M Carrascosa1, J L Pérez-Castrillón, I Sampedro
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Laredo, Cantabria, Spain.
Summary
Streptococcus mitis, typically harmless, caused bilateral lung abscesses in an immunocompetent patient. This case highlights the bacterium as a potential cause of pulmonary abscesses, successfully treated with antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Streptococcus mitis is commonly found as a commensal organism in the human oropharynx, skin, and gastrointestinal and genital tracts.
- Traditionally, S. mitis is not associated with severe pulmonary infections, particularly in individuals with healthy immune systems.
Observation:
- A rare case of bilateral lung abscesses was observed in an immunocompetent adult.
- The causative agent identified for the lung abscesses was Streptococcus mitis.
Findings:
- This is the first reported instance of bilateral lung abscesses caused by Streptococcus mitis in an immunocompetent host.
- The patient's lung abscesses were effectively treated using a combination of clindamycin and gentamicin.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that Streptococcus mitis should be recognized as a potential pathogen capable of causing pulmonary abscesses.
- Clinicians should consider S. mitis in the differential diagnosis of lung abscesses, even in immunocompetent individuals.