Unravelling the unusual: Enterococcus faecium in aspiration pneumonia complicated with lung abscess in a severely comorbid patient

Devi Asokan; Neha Sunil Bawankar; Ravindra R. Khadse; Swati M. Bhise

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20242242

Authors

Devi Asokan Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Neha Sunil Bawankar Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2504-0941
Ravindra R. Khadse Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Swati M. Bhise Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20242242

Keywords:

Aspiration pneumonia, Comorbidities, Community-acquired pneumonia, Enterococcus faecium, Lung abscess

Abstract

Aspiration pneumonia is a common respiratory infection that can lead to complications, including lung abscess. While typical causative agents include P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus, atypical agents must also be considered, especially in comorbid or elderly populations. This case report presents a rare instance of aspiration pneumonia caused by E. faecium that developed into a lung abscess in a patient with multiple comorbidities. The patient's medical history included left-sided hemiparesis, hypertension, and type-2 diabetes mellitus, as well as a thirty-year history of smoking and alcoholism. Radiological evaluation revealed a rounded opacity with an air-fluid level in the left lower zone, indicating a lung abscess. Microbiological evaluation confirmed the presence of Enterococcus spp. The case highlights the importance of considering atypical pathogens in aspiration pneumonia and the potential for severe complications in severely comorbid patients.

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