Salmonella empyema an unusual infection – A case report

Pleuropulmonary Samonella infections are very rare and are associated with high mortality. We present a case of empyema to Salmonella in an 83-year-old male patient, with uncontrolled hematological disease. The patient presented with a one-week history of fever, productive cough with purulent sputum, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain localized to the right hemithorax. He denied having nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. No history of smoking or respiratory diseases. Chest imaging showed a right loculated pleural effusion with adjacent parenchymal consolidation. Blood test revealed anemia without leukocytosis with elevated C-reactive protein (36.2 mg/dL). A chest tube was placed, with drainage of purulent fluid and empiric antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and clindamycin was started. Pleural fluid and blood cultures were positive for Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. The stool cultures were negative. Due to slow improvement, clindamycin was suspended and ciprofloxacin was initiated. The patient showed clinical and laboratory improvement. After seven weeks of antibiotic therapy, he presented with negative blood cultures and significant imaging improvement. The patient was discharged. This case describes a positive outcome in an unusual infection with a high mortality caused by non-typhoid Salmonella.