Invasive Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis infection leading to ARDS, septic shock, and death: A rare case report

Rhinoscleroma is an uncommon chronic infection caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, a gram-negative bacillus that affects the upper respiratory tract. Although the nasal cavity is the most affected area, pulmonary involvement has not been previously documented. This case report describes a 61-year-old man followed for nasal rhinoscleroma who was admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory distress and septic shock due to bilateral infectious bronchopneumonia. Despite immediate intubation and intravenous antibacterial treatment, the patient died 10 days later. Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis was identified in a distal pulmonary swab and blood culture. While cases of rhinoscleroma and bacteremia caused by K rhinoscleromatis infection have been documented, the case we present here is the first to report on acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by fulminant pneumonia along with septic shock.