Trichomonas tenax empyema in an immunocompromised patient with advanced cancer

Parasite. 1998 Dec;5(4):375-7. doi: 10.1051/parasite/1998054375.

Abstract

A 53-year-old male acromegalic patient with advanced rectal adenocarcinoma developed pleuritis in the course of cobalt irradiation, steroid treatment and chemotherapy. Examination of drained pleural fluid demonstrated numerous motile organisms, which were identified as Trichomonas tenax by Giemsa staining. Peptostreptococcus micros was also detected in the cultures of pleural fluid and blood. Treatment with metronidazole successfully eliminated the protozoa and cured the pyothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Animals
  • Antitrichomonal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / secondary
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Empyema, Pleural / drug therapy
  • Empyema, Pleural / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Rectal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Rectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Trichomonas / isolation & purification
  • Trichomonas Infections / drug therapy
  • Trichomonas Infections / etiology*

Substances

  • Antitrichomonal Agents
  • Metronidazole