A Peculiar Case of Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract EN

Patients commonly present to the emergency department with acute respiratory distress; however, the differentials are broad and at times difficult to distinguish.

We describe a case of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) secondary to invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The patient was intubated within 3 h of presentation and suffered multiorgan failure within 72 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

This case is a stark illustration of how the most common bacteria associated with CAP can be fatal and highlights the associated markers of severity.

It also outlines other potential complications including a very rare phenomenon of cardiomyopathy with myocarditis associated with S.

pneumoniae bacteraemia.