Streptococcus pulmonary empyema after varicella infection in a serologically immunocompetent boy. Issue 4 (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yamaguchi, Hiroshi; Nagumo, Kiyoshi; Sasaki, Daisuke; Aoyagi, Hayato; Kato, Hiroaki; Narita, Yoshiaki; Tamura, Takuya; Kosugiyama, Kiyotaka; Nakashima, Taiji; Kinugawa, Yoshikazu
• Is Part Of: Pediatrics international. Volume 56:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 618
• Page End: 621
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.12300
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1328-8067

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the etiologic agent of varicella, and it remains common among children in Japan due to low vaccination rates. It can cause a variety of serious and life‐threatening complications. Generally, the most frequent complication of varicella in healthy children is bacterial superinfection, but empyema after VZV infection is a rare condition. This case report describes a previously healthy 21‐month‐old boy who attended nursery school with a recent varicella and group A β‐hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis outbreak and who presented with a 7 day history of vesicular rash along with progressive fever. Due to continued mild cough and prolonged fever, however, chest radiography was done, which showed a right pleural effusion. Further computed tomography showed a right pulmonary empyema, and purulent material was drained and eventually grew GABHS. This report hereby describes the development of pleural empyema caused by GABHS after VZV infection in a serologically immunocompetent patient.</p> </abstract>