Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion and Empyema: Microbiological Assessment and Treatment Strategies in a High-Volume Pleural Center

Abstract

Parapneumonic effusion refers to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space in the setting of an adjacent pneumonia. Furthermore, empyema refers to a collection of pus within the pleural space, which can develop when bacteria's, fungi, parasites, or mycobacteria invade the pleural space, either from an adjacent pneumonia, from direct inoculation or another source. We aim to characterize the pleural culture from patients with parapneumonic pleural effusions in terms of isolated microorganisms, antibiotic treatment and source of infection. METHODS: Retrospective medical records review of patients diagnosed with parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema between 1998 and 2019 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center were included. Patients were identified from our institutional database using the International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD-9, codes 510.9 and 510.10) as well as the 10th revision (ICD-10, codes J86.0 and J86.9).