Successful culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sputum despite dual anti-pneumococcal therapy using a novel biofilm disruption technique

Abstract

Sputum cultures often have low diagnostic yield. Overgrowth by commensal oral flora, environmental stresses, antibiotic use and clustering of pathogens in the sputum matrix can inhibit success. Moreover, pathogens are frequently protected in a native sputum biofilm. We have successfully cultured Streptococcus pneumoniae from a patient demonstrating signs and symptoms of active pneumococcal pneumonia using a novel biofilm disruption technique while on effective antibiotic therapy and despite the above stressors.