Veillonella Intrapulmonary Abscess With Empyema

A lung abscess is characterized as a clinical ailment arising from the localized suppurative necrosis of lung parenchyma. This condition primarily results from the complications of aspiration pneumonia due to anaerobic microorganisms originating from the oral cavity. Clinically, patients typically manifest symptoms such as fever, malaise, and a productive cough persisting over several weeks. The majority of lung abscess cases acquired within the community stem from anaerobic bacterial infections, often exhibiting a polymicrobial nature. We present a 51-year-old female with intrapulmonary abscess and empyema, with isolation of Veillonella species. She has a 25-pack-year smoking history. Two weeks prior to arrival at our facility, she experienced intermittent shortness of breath, fever, and subjective fever. Her primary care physician ordered an outpatient computed tomography (CT) which showed evidence of a large right-sided fluid collection. Initial chest X-ray at our facility revealed extensive opacification of the middle and right lower hemithorax, believed to be a large-sized pleural effusion with adjacent pneumonia or atelectasis. She was given a working diagnosis of right-sided empyema. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed. A very large collection of grossly purulent material was evacuated and revealed a large intrapulmonary abscess. Over 400 cc of frank pus was collected and sent for microbiological analysis. Anaerobic culture demonstrated 3+ Peptostreptococcus species and 3+ Veillonella species. The genus Veillonella consists of a small, strictly anaerobic, gram-negative cocci that lacks flagella, spores, and capsules. This genus obtains energy from the utilization of short-chain organic acids that are present in the oral cavity and intestinal tract. Oral Veillonella is strongly associated with biofilms, causing human oral infectious diseases such as periodontitis and dental caries. Literature states that this organism has been isolated in a limited number of chronic pneumonitis cases. To date, the most common organism isolated from lung abscesses is Streptococcus in adult patients and Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric patients. We strive to elucidate the distinctive clinical presentation evident in this case, alongside a comprehensive understanding of the unusual pathogens identified in the disease's pathogenesis.

Atypical Case Presentation of Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare and life-threatening condition that is typically caused by group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. It classically presents with fever, hypotension, sunburn-like rash, and multi-organ system failure. We describe a case of a 70-year-old male with this condition who had an atypical presentation of left chest wall pain and left shoulder pain after two mechanical falls along with hemodynamic stability. The patient rapidly deteriorated on his second hospital floor day, resulting in a higher complexity of care and management in the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite a number of resuscitative measures, therapies, and multidisciplinary care, the patient unfortunately passed away within 24 hours of his ICU care.

Pulmonary nocardial infection and pseudomonas infection of the tongue in a patient with dermatomyositis

Opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients are common. We report the case of a 63 year old female patient with dermatomyositis who while on oral steroids developed nocardial infection of the lung and pseudomonas infection of the tongue simultaneously. Nocardial infections are not very commonly seen in patients with dermatomyositis. Pseudomonas infection of the tongue is a rarity. We report this case for its rarity as regards the type and site of infections and review the relevant literature.

Accidental self-injection with Freund's complete adjuvant

The case of a research worker who accidentally injected herself with Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) in the right forearm is reported. This resulted in a serious granulomatous inflammation of the hand an forearm. She was treated with corticosteroids and chloroquine with good result. The course of this reaction and the hazards of injection with FCA are emphasised and the relevant literature reviewed.

Tubercular splenic abscesses in a patient with AIDS

Opportunistic infections are common in patients with AIDS. There is an increasing incidence of tuberculosis, especially extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Splenic abscesses is one such, though rare, extrapulmonary manifestation. We report such a case discuss the diagnosis and treatment in these cases.