Complicated Pediatric Pneumonia With Eikenella Caused by Foreign Body Aspiration: Institutional and Literature Review

Eikenella corrodens is a commensal bacterium of the buccal cavity and rarely causes lower respiratory infections in healthy children. Two young patients with persistent pleuropneumonia caused by E. corrodens are presented. In both cases, an obstructing endobronchial foreign body was found. Removal of the foreign bodies allowed complete recovery. A local and literature review demonstrated E. corrodens causing empyema in only four other cases, all with comorbidities. We conclude that in cases of persistent pneumonia in healthy children due to Eikenella corrodens , an aspirated foreign body should be suspected.