Fatal thoracic empyema involving Campylobacter rectus: A case report

Anaerobe. 2018 Feb:49:95-98. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.12.014. Epub 2018 Jan 8.

Abstract

We report the case of a 69-year-old man admitted for septic shock secondary to necrotic pneumoniae complicated by thoracic empyema of fatal issue. Microbiological examination of pleural liquid revealed a mixed anaerobic flora involving Campylobacter rectus and Actinomyces meyeri. Campylobacter rectus is an infrequent anaerobic pathogen of oral origin To our knowledge, this is the first case report of fatal C. rectus - associated thoracic empyema, and only the second reported case in which identification was successfully performed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Keywords: Campylobacter rectus; MALDI-TOF MS; Periodontal disease; Thoracic empyema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Campylobacter Infections / drug therapy
  • Campylobacter Infections / microbiology*
  • Campylobacter Infections / mortality
  • Campylobacter rectus / drug effects
  • Campylobacter rectus / genetics
  • Campylobacter rectus / isolation & purification
  • Campylobacter rectus / physiology*
  • Empyema, Pleural / drug therapy
  • Empyema, Pleural / microbiology*
  • Empyema, Pleural / mortality
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents