Dental Infection Leading to a Pulmonary Catastrophe in an Immunocompetent Patient

Abstract

Necrotizing pneumonia is a rare complication of bacterial lung infection. It is caused by either a virulence factor of the microorganism or a predisposing factor of the host. Nearly 4% of all community acquired pneumonias are necrotizing. Most common pathogens are S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae. This disease may cause devastating complications such as diffuse pulmonary inflammation, parapneumonic effusions, empyema, bronchopleural fistula, septic shock, and respiratory failure, making treatment more difficult.Peptostreptococcus species are anaerobic gram-positive coccus, part of normal flora on mouth, skin and soft tissue, bone and joints, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. It can become pathogenic under traumatic or immunosuppressed conditions. They can cause brain, liver and lung abscess, as well as necrotizing infections.