Acute Empyema due to Gemella morbillorum Following COVID ‐19 in an Otherwise Healthy Middle‐Aged Man

ABSTRACT Acute empyema typically occurs in elderly or immunocompromised individuals, and its development in healthy, non‐elderly adults is uncommon. We report a case of acute empyema caused by Gemella morbillorum following COVID‐19 infection in a previously healthy man in his mid‐40s. He developed persistent fever and cough after COVID‐19, and left pleural effusion was detected 3 weeks later. Despite meropenem therapy, his symptoms persisted, prompting referral to our institution. Imaging showed multiloculated pleural effusion compatible with stage II empyema, and video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed. G. morbillorum was isolated from intraoperative specimens, and he recovered uneventfully. This case highlights that even healthy, non‐elderly individuals may develop significant bacterial superinfection after COVID‐19. Clinicians should therefore consider secondary bacterial infections, including empyema, when persistent or recurrent symptoms occur following COVID‐19.