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Postoperative mediastinitis due to Finegoldia magna with negative blood cultures

Solen Kernéis1, Matta Matta, Annie Buu Hoï

  • 1AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service de Microbiologie, Paris, France. solen.kerneis@cch.aphp.fr

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|October 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Finegoldia magna, a type of anaerobic bacteria, can cause mediastinitis after heart surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering anaerobic bacteria in postoperative infections, even with negative blood cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Postoperative mediastinitis is a serious complication following cardiac surgery.
  • Staphylococci are the most common pathogens implicated in these infections.

Observation:

  • A 50-year-old patient developed mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass surgery.
  • The patient presented with fever and sternal drainage.

Findings:

  • Blood cultures were negative, but Finegoldia magna (formerly Peptostreptococcus magnus), an anaerobic bacterium, was identified as the causative agent.
  • This case underscores the role of anaerobic bacteria in postoperative mediastinitis.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider anaerobic bacteria in the differential diagnosis of postoperative mediastinitis, especially when initial blood cultures are negative.
  • Prompt identification and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for managing such infections.
  • This finding may influence diagnostic strategies and treatment protocols for post-cardiac surgery infections.

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