Alcoholic leukopenic pneumococcal sepsis

Abstract

Alcohol abuse has been associated with an increased mortality and morbidity due to increased aspiration, delirium tremens, and seizures. The association of pneumococcal lung infections and leukopenia in the setting of alcohol abuse are rarely reported; however, when present, severe lung infections can happen with severe lung injury and poor response to conventional therapy and ultimately, death. We are reporting a case of 55-year-old-man presented with shortness of breath, cough and altered mental status and eventually found with severe pneumococcal lung infection in the setting of leukopenia and long-term alcohol abuse representing alcoholic leukopenic pneumococcal sepsis syndrome.

Keywords: Alcohol abuse; leukopenia; pneumonia.

Figure 1

Chest X-ray showed right lower lobe consolidation with the right costophrenic angle obliteration suggestive of right pleural effusion

Figure 2

Computed tomography - Angiography of the chest confirmed the findings of right lower lobe consolidation with no pleural effusion on both lung window ([a] transverse cut and [b] coronal cut)

Figure 3

Computed tomography - Angiography of the chest confirmed the findings of right lower lobe consolidation with no pleural effusion on both mediastinal window ([a] transverse cut and [b] coronal cut)