Septic Pulmonary Embolism Due to Periodontal Disease

Abstract

Three weeks following a toothache, a 56-year-old man developed cough, sputum, fever, and pleuritic chest pain. He had mild periodontal disease and his chest radiographs and chest computed tomographic (CT) scans showed multiple pulmonary nodules. The CT scan strongly suggested septic pulmonary embolism. Aspirated pus from one of the nodules yielded pure growth of Streptococcus intermedius. Lesions resolved with antimicrobial therapy. The usual predisposing factors for septic pulmonary embolism were absent, and, the isolation of S intermedius from the pus, the antecedent toothache, and periodontal disease all suggested the gingiva as the source. We hypothesize that periodontal infection led to bacteremia, seeding of the lungs, and multiple anaerobic pulmonary abscesses, akin to reported instances of infective endocarditis from dental foci without any prior dental procedures. To our knowledge, this presentation of septic pulmonary embolism is unprecedented.