A Pneumonia Case Caused By Cedecea Lapagei

Cedecea spp., which are the member of Enterobacteriaceae family, is frequently isolated from sputum, but their clinical importance is not clear. This report presents a pneumonia case caused by Cedecea lapagei. An 18 year old, cachectic, spastic and epileptic male patient with oral and nasal bleeding was admitted to the hospital and underwent artificial respiration after epileptic convulsions. On the third day of hospitalization Chest X-ray revealed opacities in the right lobe. Tracheal aspirate's direct microscopic examination revealed leukocytes and gramnegative bacilli. Bacteria isolated from tracheal aspirate culture was identified as Cedecea lapagei by the BBL Crystal Enteric/Nonfermenter ID kit (Becton Dickinson, USA) which was confirmed by the Vitek identification system (Biomerieux, France). Upon the initiation of intravenous sulbactam/cefoperazone and amikacin combination therapy, the signs of infection decreased in intensity. In this case, tracheal intubation and aspiration of the secretions let the bacteria cause pneumonia. This report supports the fact that Cedecea lapagei is a causative agent of pneumonia as shown in rare cases in the literature.