Gemella empyema cured without antibiotics: a case report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Gemella are gram-positive bacteria that are commensals of the upper respiratory tract in humans and infrequently known to cause infections.

CLINICAL PICTURE:

We report a case of thoracic empyema due to Gemella morbillorum in an elderly Chinese male who had been having symptoms for 3 months and no response to multiple courses of antibiotics.

INTERVENTION:

The collection was drained with ultrasound guidance.

OUTCOME:

Drainage of the empyema produced rapid resolution of symptoms and no antibiotics were started.

CONCLUSIONS:

Gemella is a very rare cause of empyema which usually responds well to treatment.

• Authors: V Poulose
• Journal: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Ann Acad Med Singap) Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 802-4 (Nov 2002) ISSN: 0304-4602 [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 12520838 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Drainage (methods)
• Empyema, Pleural (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Radiography, Thoracic
• Risk Assessment
• Staphylococcaceae (isolation & purification)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome