Empyema due to beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae type b complicating severe laryngo-pharyngitis and cervical cellulitis.

A 70-year-old woman presented to hospital with an acute life-threatening cervical cellulitis and laryngopharyngitis followed by pneumonia. Despite a month's treatment with intravenous antibiotics including cephamandole she developed a bacteremic empyema due to a beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae. Subsequent treatment with chloramphenicol and surgical drainage was curative. The same pathogen was later isolated from her grandson's throat. Chloramphenicol is recommended as the drug of choice in such cases.