Unusual subdural empyema in a homeless patient diagnosed by molecular approach: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We report a case of subdural empyema in a homeless patient caused by Bartonella quintana. B. quintana is a facultative intracellular bacteria for which bacterial growth is fastidious. The molecular biology approach has been a real help in establishing the diagnosis.

Case report

A 59-years old homeless patient, with a history of chronic alcohol abuse, was brought to the emergency department with a massive subdural empyema. Extensive microbiological evaluation didn't reveal any pathogen in the pus collected before antibiotic treatment. B. quintana was detected in the pus from the empyema using a 16S rRNA-based PCR. Histology of intraoperative samples was consistent with the diagnosis and a serological assay was positive. The patient responded well to a treatment tha

SUBMITTER: Brin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7236200 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature