Acinetobacter mediastinitis and pneumonia in a thorotrastoma patient. The oropharyngeal flora as source of infection.

A case of bilateral pneumonia, mediastinitis and septicaemia caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Candida albicans is described. The infections occurred after a palliative operation for an esophagotracheal fistula in a thorotrastoma patient. The oropharynx was colonized by the two microorganisms at admission and is presented as the source of these infections. Clinical management and antimicrobial policy, including oropharyngeal decontamination, leading to a good outcome are reported.