[A case of chronic empyema caused by Salmonella Livingstone with soft-tissue abscess].

A 65-year-old man with old tuberculous pleuritis was admitted to our hospital because of swelling and heat on the right upper abdomen on December 8, 2006. Computed tomography showed the presence of thickening and calcification of the right pleura, capsular effusion, and soft-tissue swelling of the right upper abdomen. Salmonella Livingstone was isolated from the aspiration specimen of the capsular effusion. Chronic empyema caused by Salmonella Livingstone with soft-tissue abscess was diagnosed, and was treated with 400 mg per day levofloxacin. Salmonella spp. is known as a common pathogen of gastroenteritis. Pleuropulmonary Salmonella infection is rare, and only 5 cases have been reported in Japan. However, this organism can cause respiratory tract infection in a patient with an impaired host defence system such as old tuberculosis.