ABSTRACT
Atopobium minutum (A. minutum) has rarely been documented in human infections. However, this report describes a case involving a 52-year-old woman who developed empyema and lung collapse due to A. minutum. She initially presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Her condition quickly declined within the first day of arrival, leading to respiratory failure and requiring intubation and ICU-level care. Despite receiving intensive antibiotic treatment, the patient needed prolonged intubation and a tracheostomy. Initial cultures indicated Streptococcus intermedius and Lactobacillus minutus, but final culture results identified A. minutum as the cause. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing A. minutum infections, often necessitating advanced DNA sequencing, and raises concerns about potential multidrug resistance. It highlights the importance of prompt identification of the pathogen by laboratories to allow for effective treatment of these rare infections.
ABSTRACT
The conventional metered dose inhaler (MDI) has long served as a cornerstone in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affecting millions annually. Despite its advantages, a persistent challenge is seen in the form of patient education and the unchanged design of these inhalers since their inception in 1956. This lack of progress in MDI design has inadvertently contributed to incidences of foreign body inhalation. In this case presentation we report a 50-year-old male with a past medical history of asthma, who faced an incident of foreign body inhalation with use of his inhaler. The patient aspirated a dime when he administered his inhaler, as it had become lodged in the device's mouthpiece, which was uncapped. This case, like many others, demonstrates the need for innovative changes in MDI inhaler design. While numerous articles or cases concentrate on foreign body removal, the primary objective of this case report is to investigate preventative measures and solutions aimed at averting incidents of inhalation.
