Pneumonia and Empyema Caused by Streptococcus intermedius that Shows the Diagnostic Importance of Evaluating the Microbiota in the Lower Respiratory Tract

Shingo Noguchi; Kazuhiro Yatera; Toshinori Kawanami; Kei Yamasaki; Kazumasa Fukuda; Keisuke Naito; Kentarou Akata; Shuya Nagata; Hiroshi Ishimoto; Hatsumi Taniguchi; Hiroshi Mukae

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.53.0971

CASE REPORTS

Pneumonia and Empyema Caused by Streptococcus intermedius that Shows the Diagnostic Importance of Evaluating the Microbiota in the Lower Respiratory Tract

Shingo Noguchi, Kazuhiro Yatera, Toshinori Kawanami, Kei Yamasaki, Kazumasa Fukuda, Keisuke Naito, Kentarou Akata, Shuya Nagata, Hiroshi Ishimoto, Hatsumi Taniguchi, Hiroshi Mukae

Author information

Shingo Noguchi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Kazuhiro Yatera
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Toshinori Kawanami
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Kei Yamasaki
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Kazumasa Fukuda
Department of Microbiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Keisuke Naito
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Kentarou Akata
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Shuya Nagata
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Hiroshi Ishimoto
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Hatsumi Taniguchi
Department of Microbiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Hiroshi Mukae
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

Keywords: Streptococcus intermedius, 16S ribosomal RNA gene, clone library sequencing, health care-associated pneumonia

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2014 Volume 53 Issue 1 Pages 47-50

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.53.0971

Details

Abstract

The bacterial species in the Streptococcus anginosus group (S. constellatus, S. anginosus, S. intermedius) are important causative pathogens of bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary abscesses and empyema. However, the bacteria in this group are primarily oral resident bacteria and unable to grow significantly on ordinary aerobic culture media. We experienced a case of pneumonia and empyema caused by Streptococcus intermedius detected using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pleural effusion, but not sputum. Even when applying the molecular method, sputum samples are occasionally unsuitable for identifying the causative pathogens of lower respiratory tract infections.

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