Gemella empyema cured without antibiotics: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Gemella are gram-positive bacteria that are commensals of the upper respiratory tract in humans and infrequently known to cause infections.


METHODS
We report a case of thoracic empyema due to Gemella morbillorum in an elderly Chinese male who had been having symptoms for 3 months and no response to multiple courses of antibiotics.


METHODS
The collection was drained with ultrasound guidance.


RESULTS
Drainage of the empyema produced rapid resolution of symptoms and no antibiotics were started.


CONCLUSIONS
Gemella is a very rare cause of empyema which usually responds well to treatment.
Poulose
V
V
Department of Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889. vijopoulose@pol.net
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040141:Staphylococcaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents