Branhamella catarrhalis as a cause of multiple subpleural abscesses.

A pure growth of Branhamella catarrhalis was obtained from subpleural abscesses in a 65-year-old fisherman with a persistent pneumothorax; underlying disorders included lung fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. A thoracotomy revealed extensive thickening of the visceral pleura covering multiple subpleural abscesses. There was a protracted postoperative course despite surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment with a cephalosporin and erythromycin.