Pediatric Empyema in the Post-Pandemic Period: Evaluating Changing Trends in Microbiology, Investigations, Fibrinolysis, and Surgical Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Introduction

We present a retrospective analysis of our experience managing pediatric empyema, focusing on clinical, microbiological, radiological aspects, surgical and fibrinolytic outcomes over an 8-year period, encompassing the 2022–2023 United Kingdom invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) surge. This observational study aimed to test the hypothesis that the post-pandemic period has revealed a new pattern of microbes, disease patterns, and treatment effectiveness.

Materials and Methods

Case notes of children (<16 years) with thoracic empyema who had an intercostal drain between 2014 and 2023 were reviewed for demographic, imaging, microbiological, and operative findings. Periods were categorized as pre-pandemic (2015–2020), pandemic (2020–2021), and post-pandemic (2022–2023).

Results

From 86 cases, median ages fell from 9.9 years (pre-pandemic), 6.2 years (pandemic), to 4.4 years (post-pandemic). Pleural culture detected organisms in 27% while 16S PCR increased the yield to 90.7%. Streptococcus pyogenes (43.4%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (30.2%) predominated. Viral coinfection was associated with necrosis (45% vs. 24% without coinfection). Intrapleural fibrinolysis effectiveness fell from 81% pre-pandemic to 60% post-pandemic, with a concomitant rise in need for further surgery from 19% to 48%. Alongside these changes, the length of stay increased from 8 to 11 days (pre- vs. post-pandemic). There were no empyema-related deaths at our center over this study period.

Conclusion

Post-pandemic empyema was characterized by younger age, a higher proportion of S. pyogenes, and increased intrapleural fibrinolytics failure and surgery. These data support earlier surgical consultation for younger patients or those with viral coinfections, prospective evaluation of dual-agent fibrinolysis in children, and integration of 16S PCR into pleural workflows. Ongoing surveillance of empyema epidemiology is needed to optimize future management.

Keywords

lung infection - iGAS outbreak - fibrinolytic therapy

Publication History

Received: 07 November 2024

Accepted: 05 December 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
09 December 2025

Article published online:
26 December 2025

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