dawnmedDawnMed Journal of Medical ScienceISVolume 2, Issue 3MultidisciplinaryEnglish2026NNY20260714Internal MedicineNecrotizing Pneumonia in a Young Female with Sickle Cell Disease: A Rare and Severe ComplicationEnglishY711MayasHafez¹EnglishNSaidaMohamedelrih¹EnglishYMalakShubbar¹EnglishYMustafaAlnasser¹EnglishY10.64039/djms.2026.2204Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is a rare but severe complication of bacterial pneumonia that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by lung parenchymal destruction and cavitation. Although uncommon in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), it can progress rapidly when it occurs. We report a case of a young female with SCD who initially presented with acute chest syndrome (ACS) and pleural effusion. Despite the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and an exchange transfusion, her symptoms worsened, which made clinical decisions more challenging. However, after correct diagnosis, she responded well to prolonged antibiotic therapy along with surgical care. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of NP, which can develop in SCD patients while resembling other potential diagnoses related to ACS. Delayed diagnosis may lead to significant complications. Imaging, aggressive medical therapy, and close monitoring are essential to improve outcomes.EnglishNecrotizing pneumonia, Sickle cell disease, Acute chest syndrome, Case reporthttps://dawnmed.com.sa/abstract?id=21References16191.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Chen Y, Li L, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhou Y. Necrotizing pneumonia in children: early recognition and management. J Clin Med. 2023;12(6):2256. 2.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Labandeira-Rey M, Couzon F, Boisset S, Brown EL, Bes M, Benito Y, et al. Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin causes necrotizing pneumonia. Science. 2007;315(5815):1130and;ndash;3. 3.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Paramythiotou E, Souli M, Galani I, Giamarellou H, Armaganidis A. Success stories about severe pneumonia caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus. Braz J Infect Dis. 2014;18(3):341and;ndash;5. 4.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Faustino FDM, Morgado C, Palmares I, Ferrand;atilde;o J, Freitas P. Necrotizing pneumonia: a rare outcome of a rare complication. Cureus. 2024;16(1):e51527. 5.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Mangla A, Ehsan M, Maruvada S. Sickle cell anemia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. 6.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Krutikov M, Rahman A, Tiberi S. Necrotizing pneumonia (aetiology, clinical features and management). Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2019;25(3):225and;ndash;32. 7.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Kapania EM, Cavallazzi R. Necrotizing pneumonia: a practical guide for the clinician. Pathogens. 2024;13(11):984. 8.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Gillet Y, Vanhems P, Lina G, Bes M, Vandenesch F, Floret D, et al. Factors predicting mortality in necrotizing community-acquired pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus containing Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;45(3):315and;ndash;21. 9.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Li H, Zhang T, Huang J, Zhou Y, Zhu J, Wu B. Factors associated with the outcome of life-threatening necrotizing pneumonia due to community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus in adult and adolescent patients. Respiration. 2010;81(6):448and;ndash;60. 10.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Land;ouml;ffler B, Niemann S, Ehrhardt C, Horn D, Lanckohr C, Lina G, et al. Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia: the role of PVL and an influenza coinfection. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2013;11(10):1041and;ndash;51. 11.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Tsai YF, Ku YH. Necrotizing pneumonia. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2012;18(3):246and;ndash;52. 12.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Larose JC, Wang HT, Rakovich G. Survival with optimal medical management in a cohort of severe necrotizing bacterial lung infections. J Thorac Dis. 2023;15(7):3860and;ndash;9. 13.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Couillard S, Benkerrou M, Girot R, et al. Steroid treatment in children with sickle cell disease. Haematologica. 2007;92(3):425and;ndash;6. 14.and;nbsp; and;nbsp; Chatha N, Fortin D, Bosma KJ. Management of necrotizing pneumonia and pulmonary gangrene: a case series and review of the literature. Can Respir J. 2014;21(4):239and;ndash;45.