Bacteraemic E. coli Pneumonia

Abstract

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common and serious illness with high morbidity and mortality despite the availability of potent antibiotics. CAP caused by Escherichia coli is rare and is associated with a high mortality rate.

Case Study: The article reports the case of a 38-year-old woman admitted with fever, chills, and dysuria who subsequently developed acute respiratory distress. Urine, sputum, and blood cultures all grew E. coli sensitive to amikacin and gatifloxacin. She responded well to targeted antibiotic therapy and recovered completely. Since the same organism was isolated from urine, sputum, and blood, the pneumonia was considered bacteraemic rather than hospital-acquired. The patient had received a short course of corticosteroids for back pain, which may have increased her susceptibility to bacteraemia.