Isolation of Mycoplasma salivarium in the empyema of a diabetic patient with deep neck infection and necrotizing mediastinitis: A case report

Ning-Chun Weng; Wen-Liang Yu

doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2023.e01915

Isolation of Mycoplasma salivarium in the empyema of a diabetic patient with deep neck infection and necrotizing mediastinitis: A case report

IDCases. 2023 Oct 13:34:e01915. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2023.e01915. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Ning-Chun Weng¹, Wen-Liang Yu^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
² Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
³ Department of Medicine, school of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

Mycoplasma species (spp.) are predominantly found in the human oropharynx, and extracavity infections are rare. Conventional culture limitations hinder Mycoplasma spp. recovery, potentially causing overlooked infections. Molecular techniques reveal their roles in various infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes pneumonia, while Mycoplasma salivarium (M. salivarium) in empyema is scarcely reported. We present a case of a 61-year-old man who suffered from tonsillitis, deep neck infection, necrotizing mediastinitis, and bilateral pleural infections. Mixed pathogens, mainly M. salivarium, were implicated.

Keywords: Empyema; M. salivarium; MALDI-TOF-MS; Mycoplasma spp; PCR.

Publication types

Case Reports