Uncommon Etiology of Pleural Empyema: Enterococcus faecalis in an Immunocompetent Host.

Ann Afr MedNov 19, 2025 (epub)
Case ReportInfectious DiseasesPulmonologyOpen access

Sanjay Gabhale, Parna Chakraborty, Brahmansh Singh

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

Case in brief

A 75-year-old man without significant immunosuppression presented with progressive dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. Imaging showed a loculated right pleural effusion; thoracentesis yielded purulent fluid that grew Enterococcus faecalis. He received chest-tube drainage, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adjunctive intrapleural streptokinase. He recovered fully, with complete lung re-expansion and no need for surgical decortication.

What made this case unusual

The empyema was caused by E. faecalis in a patient without significant immunosuppression, an uncommon presentation for this organism.

Diagnostic / clinical pearl

Culture of purulent pleural fluid established E. faecalis as the cause; consider this organism even when the patient is not immunosuppressed.

Source

PubMed · PMID 41255366Free full text on PubMed Central

Published in Ann Afr Med. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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