Pyopneumothorax from coinfection by Trichomonas tenax and Geotrichum capitatum in a child from China: a case report

BMC Infectious Diseases

Ke Cao¹  Yuanzhen Ye²  Yuhui Wu³  Yanlan Yang³  Weiguo Yang³  Jiayin Lin³ 

[1] Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China;Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, 7019# Yitian Road, 518038, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China;Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, 7019# Yitian Road, 518038, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China;

关键词: Pyopneumothorax;    Pleural effusion;    Protozoa;    Trichomonas;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-021-06539-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTrichomonas tenax may appear in the oral cavity of humans due to poor dentition or oral hygiene. Pyopneumothorax is a serious complication of lower respiratory tract infections that very rarely can be caused by a trichomonad species in predisposed individuals. We report a rare case of pleurisy due to T. tenax with coinfection by a fungus.Case presentationWe describe a 16-year-old patient with cerebral palsy who presented with severe pyopneumothorax. T. tenax was identified by microscopic examination of the pleural effusion and next-generation sequencing. We also identified Geotrichum capitatum in the pleural effusion and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cultures. Treatment with voriconazole and metronidazole successfully eliminated these pathogens and relieved the clinical symptoms. A literature review indicated this is the first reported case of pleurisy due to T. tenax with coinfection by a fungus.ConclusionThe rarity of pyopneumothorax caused by T. tenax coinfection with a fungus should not be overlooked in the clinic. These patients should be and treated in a timely manner.

【 授权许可】

CC BY