Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and COVID-19 Coinfection: A Series of Cases Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Pneumococcal infection is still a frequent disease. It can be classified as invasive when pneumococcus is isolated in a generally sterile fluid. Pneumonia is the most common infectious source of adult invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and several risk factors for IPD are well known. This case report presents three clinical cases of different manifestations of IPD. The two most severe cases had coinfection by SARS-CoV-2 at hospital admission.

Keywords: invasive pneumococcal disease; pneumonia; risk factors; sars-cov-2; streptococcus pneumoniae.

Figure 1. X-ray and CT scan of the patient in case 1

A: X-ray at admission – right middle and lower consolidation. B: CT scan made on day 15 of hospital stay showing one of the lung abscesses later drained.

Figure 2. X-ray and CT scan of the patient in case 2

A: X-ray at admission - left lower consolidation. B: CT scan made on day 10 of hospital stay showing a lung abscess and cavitation.

Figure 3. X-ray of the patient in case 3

X-ray at presentation showing left alveolar infiltrates.