Overview
Pneumonia caused by Flavobacterium is called Flavobacterium pneumonia. Flavobacteria can also cause meningitis, sepsis, and other infections.
Causes
Flavobacterium pneumonia is caused by the infection of Flavobacterium, which includes Flavobacterium meningitidis, Flavobacterium subspecies, Flavobacterium aromaticum, and Flavobacterium multiforme. Among them, Flavobacterium meningitidis and subgroup IIb are the main pathogenic bacteria, which can cause various infections and sepsis in humans. This genus of bacteria is significantly characterized by the production of yellow pigment during growth.
Symptoms
Common clinical manifestations include fever, which is mostly mild or moderately irregular and partly flaccid. In severe cases, such as meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia, the temperature is high and toxemia is severe. Infants are infected with symptoms of toxicity such as depressed demeanor, less movement, less crying, refusal to eat, and vomiting.
Examination
1. Laboratory examination
Blood leukocyte count is usually significantly elevated, and neutrophils can reach more than 90%, with nuclear left shift phenomenon. Blood sedimentation often increases rapidly. In combination with multiple organ failure and septicemia, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is elevated in blood and renal function is abnormal.
2. Auxiliary examination
Electrocardiogram (ECG) may show abnormal changes of low potassium ECG and arrhythmia.
Diagnosis
Bacterial culture shows positive oxidase and suspected Flavobacterium. Repeated sputum bacterial culture is performed to determine the infecting strain early. Pleural effusion is more common in this disease, and bacterial culture should also be routinely performed on plasma or hemorrhagic pleural fluid, with a high positive detection rate.
Treatment
Strains are sensitive to minocycline, sensitive to ofloxacin, and most strains are sensitive to sulbactam (penicillan sulfone) or cefoperazone. Some strains are also sensitive to vancomycin, neomycin, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol. Some resistant strains are susceptible to amikacin. Erythromycin and rifampicin are generally considered to be more effective in treating meningitis.