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Dialister pneumosintes associated with human brain abscesses.
J M Rousée1, D Bermond, Y Piémont
1Institut de Bactériologie de la Faculté de Médecine, Université Louis Pasteur et Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|October 2, 2002
Summary
Dialister pneumosintes, a bacterium, can cause brain infections in healthy individuals. Definitive identification requires 16S rRNA sequencing, as traditional tests are insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Dialister pneumosintes is a bacterium typically associated with periodontal infections.
- Its role as a pathogen in serious infections, particularly brain infections, is not well-established.
Observation:
- Two previously healthy patients developed brain infections suspected to originate from nasopharyngeal or dental sources.
- The bacterium Dialister pneumosintes was isolated from blood cultures and brain abscesses in these patients.
- Both patients experienced favorable outcomes after surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy.
Findings:
- In vitro analysis confirmed the presence of Dialister pneumosintes strains.
- Traditional biochemical tests were inadequate for definitive bacterial identification.
- Partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was crucial for accurate classification of the strains as D. pneumosintes.
- This suggests D. pneumosintes can act as a significant pathogen, especially in central nervous system infections, often within a mixed microbial flora.
Implications:
- This study highlights the potential of Dialister pneumosintes to cause severe infections like brain abscesses.
- It underscores the importance of advanced molecular techniques, such as 16S rRNA sequencing, for accurate diagnosis when traditional methods fail.
- The findings suggest a need for increased awareness of D. pneumosintes as a potential opportunistic pathogen in clinical settings, particularly in cases of suspected head and neck or neurological infections.