Related Experiment Videos
[Pleural empyema caused by Corynebacterium sp]
F Carrión1, R Escoms, J Carretero
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Sagunto, Valencia.
Archivos De Bronconeumologia
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Corynebacterium infections are increasingly recognized, even in healthy individuals. This case highlights a rare instance of severe pneumonia and empyema caused by Corynebacterium sp. in an immunocompetent patient.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Corynebacterium species were historically considered infrequent human pathogens.
- Recent observations indicate a rising incidence of severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- This underscores the need to consider Corynebacterium in the differential diagnosis of serious infections.
Observation:
- A rare case of community-acquired pneumonia and left pleural empyema in a 68-year-old immunocompetent male is presented.
- Corynebacterium sp. was identified as the causative agent in the pleural fluid.
- The patient had no underlying immunodeficiency, making this presentation unusual.
Findings:
- The patient experienced severe pulmonary and pleural infection.
- Isolation of Corynebacterium sp. from pleural fluid confirmed the etiology.
- Successful treatment involved thoracic drainage and antibiotic therapy.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of Corynebacterium's pathogenic potential in immunocompetent hosts.
- It emphasizes the importance of microbiological diagnosis in severe community-acquired infections.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial treatment (imipenem and clindamycin) led to a favorable outcome.