Necrotizing pneumonia in intensive care unit

Rui Soares Correia

PAMJ. 2023; 45:132. Published 19 Jul 2023 | doi:10.11604/pamj.2023.45.132.40882

An 81-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension presented with dyspnea, progressing rapidly with hypoxemic respiratory failure, requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. The initial study, in addition to high inflammatory markers, identified Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in the urine. The patient was started on antibiotics and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Blood culture also identified Streptococcus pneumoniae and chest CT-scan showed consolidation of the right lung parenchyma with cavitated areas, suggesting necrotizing pneumonia. Given the diagnosis of necrotizing pneumonia, antibiotic therapy was prolonged, with progressive clinical and imaging improvement. We find this image relevant because no physician should forget the complications of frequent diseases such as community-acquired pneumonia. Necrotizing pneumonia is a rare but exuberant complication and despite its association with Stapylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae is not an unusual causing pathogen. This complication requires prolonged antibiotherapy and clinical and imaging surveillance.
Corresponding author
Rui Soares Correia, Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Tondela-Viseu, Avenida Rei D Duarte, 3504-509 Viseu, Portugal (8022@hstviseu.min-saude.pt)


The Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688) is a subsidiary of the Pan African Medical Journal. The contents of this journal is intended exclusively for professionals in the medical, paramedical and public health and other health sectors.

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