title: Empyema caused by Clostridium bifermentans: A case report.
abstract: A case of pneumonia with associated empyema caused by Clostridium bifermentans is described. C bifermentans is an anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-positive bacillus. This organism is infrequently reported as a cause of infection in humans, and older publications tended to regard it as nonpathogenic. However, in more recent reports, C bifermentans has been documented as a cause of septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, soft tissue infection, abdominal infections, brain abscess, bacteremia and endocarditis. The present case is the third reported case of empyema caused by C bifermentans, and it serves to further define the spectrum of illness due to this uncommon organism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba;
authors.forename: Safa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edagiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba; ; Diagnostic Services Manitoba;
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lagace-Wiens
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Embil
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba; ; Diagnostic Services Manitoba;
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karlowsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba; ; Diagnostic Services Manitoba; ; Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walkty
keywords: Clostridium bifermentans; Empyema; Pneumonia