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Kingella kingae endocardial abscess and cerebral infarction in a previously well immunocompetent child

Ben Gelbart1, Tom G Connell, Igor E Konstantinov

  • 1Royal Children's Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit and Department of General Medicine, Flemington Road Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia.

BMJ Case Reports
|December 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Kingella kingae typically causes mild bone and joint infections in children. However, this case shows it can lead to severe invasive disease, including endocarditis and neurological damage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Bacterial pathogenesis
  • Clinical case reports

Background:

  • Kingella kingae is an emerging pediatric pathogen.
  • It is most commonly linked to osteoarticular infections in children.
  • Severe invasive disease manifestations are less common but possible.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of severe invasive Kingella kingae infection in an infant.
  • To highlight the potential for serious complications, including neurological sequelae.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering Kingella kingae in severe pediatric infections.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 1-year-old child.
  • Clinical presentation and diagnostic findings.
  • Description of treatment and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed Kingella kingae endocarditis and a perivalvular abscess.
  • Complications included septic cerebral emboli and osteomyelitis.
  • The child experienced long-term neurological sequelae.

Conclusions:

  • Kingella kingae can cause severe, invasive infections beyond typical osteoarticular disease in children.
  • This case underscores the potential for significant morbidity, including neurological damage.
  • Awareness of Kingella kingae's invasive potential is crucial for pediatricians.

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