Primary Pseudomonas maltophilia infection of the lung.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary Pseudomonas maltophilia pneumonia. Presenting symptoms were fever and chills of two days' duration and a density in the right upper lobe. Sputum culture showed normal flora, and multiple blood cultures were negative. Antibiotic therapy initially with penicillin and then with carbenicillin was unsuccessful. Selective bronchial aspiration yielded pure cultures of P maltophilia. When an appropriate antibiotic, chloramphenicol, was given, a prompt therapeutic response followed.