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Published on: July 1, 2018
[Streptococcus suis bacteremia]
Séverine Pedroli1, Marylène Kobisch, Olivier Beauchet
1Service des urgences et de réanimation, Hôpital de Beauregard, avenue des Monts du soir, Montbrison.
Introduction:
Streptococcus suis infection is recognised despite it rareness as a zoonotic occupational disease in humans, and is often associated with meningitis, more rarely with bacteremia.
Observation:
A Streptococcus suis bacteremia occurred in a hunter and was complicated by septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis and purpura fulminans. Contamination had occurred through inoculation of a cut on the thumb when the hunter was slaughtering a wild boar. The blood cultures isolated Streptococcus suis. The patient died 36 hours after admission, despite intensive care and adapted antibiotic treatment with penicillin A and macrolide.
Conclusion:
Streptococcus suis bacteremia are uncommon but serious in humans. Despite adapted treatment, evolution may be fatal, so their conditions of occurrence must be well known by hunters and practitioners.
Insights
Streptococcus suis bacteremia is a rare but serious zoonotic disease. This case highlights the fatal potential of this infection in humans, even with prompt medical care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Human Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen occasionally causing occupational disease in humans.
- Infections are typically associated with meningitis, but bacteremia is also possible.
Observation:
- A hunter developed Streptococcus suis bacteremia after a cut on his thumb was contaminated during wild boar slaughter.
- The infection rapidly progressed to septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis, and purpura fulminans.
Findings:
- Blood cultures confirmed Streptococcus suis as the causative agent.
- Despite intensive care and appropriate antibiotics (penicillin A and macrolide), the patient died within 36 hours.
Implications:
- Streptococcus suis bacteremia, though uncommon, poses a significant risk and can be fatal in humans.
- Awareness of transmission risks is crucial for hunters and healthcare practitioners to prevent severe outcomes.
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