A Case Report of disseminated Streptococcus pneumoniae infection complicated by infective endocarditis, septic arthritis and epidural abscess in an immunocompetent patient

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a highly virulent, vaccine preventable pathogen which can cause disease on a spectrum from benign to fatal. Apart from pneumonia, it commonly causes septicaemia and meningitis. This case report describes an unusual range of complications in a middle, aged Caucasian female presenting to a regional hospital, without any risk known factors for severe disease. Progressing from episode of otitis media, her condition rapidly progressed to mastoid sinusitis, septic arthritis, infective endocarditis epidural abscesses and multiple subcutaneous abscesses. Following quick identification of S pneumoniae from a positive blood culture, she was treated with high dose benzylpenicillin and ceftriaxone and aggressive source control by surgery, enabling a good clinical recovery.