Tuberc Respir Dis.  2009 Jun;66(6):463-466.

A Case of Empyema Caused by Streptococcus Constellatus

• Ryu YS
• Lee JH
• Lee BH
• Kim SH
• Yang DJ
• Ryu SR
• Yu YH
• Cheong MY
• Chae JD

Abstract

Streptococcus constellatus (S. constellatus) is a commensal microorganism belonging to the "Streptococcus milleri" group, but may cause infections in different locations in immunocompromised patients. The infection of S. constellatus has high mortality and morbidity due to its tendency to cause abscesses in infected patients, which require immediate surgical drainage for effective treatment. We report on a 72-year-old woman with end stage renal disease, who suffered from dyspnea and general weakness that had developed over 7 days. Chest CT showed loculated pleural effusion. S. constellatus was cultured from exudative pleural effusions and confirmed by an analysis of 16S rRNA sequence. The patient was treated with drainage of pleural effusion and piperacillin/tazobactam for 5 weeks.

Keyword

Streptococcus constellatus; Streptococcus milleri group; Empyema

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Aged
Drainage
Dyspnea
Empyema
Female
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Pleural Effusion
Streptococcus
Streptococcus constellatus
Streptococcus milleri Group
Thorax

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest PA. (A) Chest PA on admission shows multiloculated pleural effusions and collapsed lung in right lower lung field. (B) Pleural effusion is markedly improved after 2 months treatment.

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  Figure 2 Chest CT on admission Large multiloculated pleural empyema with numerous air bubble is shown in right pleural space.

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