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An Unexpected Evolution: Severe Pneumonia in an Immunocompromised Patient

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) varies in clinical presentation, ranging from mild pneumonia characterized by fever and productive cough to severe pneumonia characterized by respiratory distress and sepsis. We present a 40-year-old woman who presents to the emergency room with dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, productive cough with hemoptysis, and fever. On physical examination, the patient presents with tachypnea and hypotension, which proved refractory to fluid therapy. The analysis reveals pancytopenia and elevated C-reactive protein. The computed tomography (CT) scan shows extensive areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacities, more prominent in the right upper lung lobe. The diagnosis of septic shock with a focus on CAP was established, and the patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Later, Streptococcus pyogenes was identified as the causative agent of this severe pneumonia.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.76572

Authors: Bernardo Silvério, Ana S Ramoa Oliveira, Ricardo Alves

Institutions: Unidade Local de Saúde de Braga, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave

Language: English

Topic: Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4405875534