Pleuritis caused by Campylobacter jejuni subspecies jejuni in a patient undergoing long-term hemodialysis

Abstract

A 73-year-old female hemodialysis patient experienced fever, shortness of breath on effort, and chest discomfort.A decrease in breath sounds in the right lung field, leukocytosis, elevated CRP level, and a right massive pleural effusion were observed. The patient was diagnosed with bacterial pleuritis based on leukocyte-predominant exudative pleural effusion, and treated with ceftriaxone. Her symptoms, however, were not improved, so thoracic drainage was attempted. Campylobacter species were isolated from cultured pleural fluid samples, and Campylobacter jejuni subspecies jejuni was detected on the multiplex PCR assay. The antibiotic was therefore changed to minocycline following pazufloxacin, and her symptoms were improved. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.