Lung abscess and empyema in a heart transplant recipient from Thailand

Transpl Infect Dis. 2023 Feb;25(1):e13984. doi: 10.1111/tid.13984. Epub 2022 Nov 26.

Abstract

The case discussed involves a 69-year-old Thai woman who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 9 months before this event. She presented with fever without localizing signs or symptoms. However, her chest images revealed mass-like consolidation in the left upper lobe. Blood culture and lung tissue identified Rhodococcus equi. She was successfully treated with a combination of antimicrobial therapy, optimization of immunosuppressants, and surgical resection.

Keywords: Rhodococcosis; immunocompromised; lobectomy; lung abscess; pleural effusion.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Empyema*
  • Female
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Lung Abscess*
  • Thailand