Lung Abscess and Recurrent Empyema After Infection With Mycoplasma hominis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mycoplasma hominis is a rarely identified cause of respiratory infection that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. It is often missed due to the difficult detection of the organism with routine laboratory methods. We present the case of a 63-year-old male with a history of lymphoma who was transferred to our hospital with recurrent right sided empyema and lung abscess in the left lower lobe. Advanced microbiological analysis finally revealed infection with M. hominis. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, prolonged drainage as well as repeated surgery, which eventually resulted in right lower bilobectomy, was necessary for clinical improvement of our patient. Infection with M. hominis may be more prevalent than previously indicated and can cause severe morbidity and mortality in thoracic surgery patients. Due to the diagnostic challenge the appropriate antimicrobial treatment is often delayed. Inherent resistance to macrolides and inactivity of cell-wall–active agents potentially complicate empiric antibiotic therapy. A review of the currently available literature serves to better understand the diagnostic difficulties and importance of this infection.

Isolation of Mycoplasma salivarium in the empyema of a diabetic patient with deep neck infection and necrotizing mediastinitis: A case report

“…This helps to relieve pressure and reduce the spread of the infection. Besides, several risk factors for the development of severe deep neck infections and an affection of the mediastinum have been identified, such as age older than 55 years, cardiopulmonary comorbidities, nutritional status or especially diabetes mellitus [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] .…”

Mycoplasma hominis Pneumonia Presented as a Cavitary Mass with a Halo Sign in an Immunocompetent Adult Male: A Case Report

“…Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the human urogenital tract by attaching to the mucosal epithelial cells. [1] Recently, an increase in extragenital infections caused by M. hominis has been observed. In immunocompromised patients and those with a history of trauma or open surgical operations, M. hominis can penetrate the submucosal layer and spread throughout the body, causing extragenital infections, including central nervous system, bloodstream, osteoarthritic, and respiratory infections.…”

“…In immunocompromised patients and those with a history of trauma or open surgical operations, M. hominis can penetrate the submucosal layer and spread throughout the body, causing extragenital infections, including central nervous system, bloodstream, osteoarthritic, and respiratory infections. [1,2] Very few cases of respiratory tract infections caused by M. hominis have been reported in immunocompetent patients, especially in healthy immunocompetent individuals with cavitary pneumonia. [3] Herein, we present a case of an immunocompetent patient with M. hominis pneumonia, which manifested as a cavitary mass with a halo sign in his lungs.…”

“…Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the human urogenital tract by attaching to the mucosal epithelial cells. [1]…”

“…In immunocompromised patients and those with a history of trauma or open surgical operations, M. hominis can penetrate the submucosal layer and spread throughout the body, causing extragenital infections, including central nervous system, bloodstream, osteoarthritic, and respiratory infections. [1,2]…”