CME Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Carrier State of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Lung Cancer with Thoracic Empyema

Abstract

Salmiyah Hasibuan, Indra Yovi, Dewi Anggraini, Zarfiardy Aksa Fauzi and Rohani Lasmaria Simbolon

Introduction Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and can exist as an asymptomatic carrier. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a commensal bacterium of the upper respiratory tract, specifically the nasopharynx. Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause 20-30% of all community-acquired pneumonia cases in Indonesia, and approximately 50% of patients with pneumonia will develop pleural effusion, with 5-10% of patients with pleural effusion progressing to thoracic empyema. Pleural effusion is one of the disseminations caused by lung cancer.

Case Report A 26-year-old male was admitted to Arifin Achmad General Hospital with left lung empyema, a history of left lung adenocarcinoma, and had undergone 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Clinical manifestations included shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain, which had been experienced for 5 months and worsened one week prior to hospital admission. The patient underwent intercostal drain (ICD) insertion for pus evacuation. There was no ICU care or surgical intervention. The patient’s outcome was death after 18 days of hospitalization. Nasopharyngeal culture examination revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F, while empyema fluid culture showed no bacterial growth.

Conclusion A carrier state of Streptococcus pneumoniae was found in lung cancer with thoracic empyema

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