Unexpected fatal empyema in a previously healthy woman

Abstract

Streptoccoccus pyogenes is gram + aerob coccus and it is described as group A Streptococcus (GAS) according to the Lancefield classification. GAS may cause pneumonia and pleural effusion rarely.Herein we reported a 43 years old previously healthy woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with the complaint of chest-back pain and shortness of breath. During her follow up she developed septic shock due to the empyema. 13rd hour of her admission, cardiopulmonary arrest developed and she died in spite of the appropriate and immediate treatment. 2 days later after her admission, streptoccoccus pyogenes was detected in her pleural effusion and blood culture. In conclusion clinicians should be aware of this potential fatal condition also in healthy patients and start the treatment immediately.

Keywords

• fatal empyema
• Streptoccoccus pyogenes
• pneumonia

References

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