Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice
08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

Disseminated Infection Caused by Eggerthella lenta in a Previously Healthy Young Man: A Case Report

Ahmad Salameh1, Stephen A Klotz, Tirdad T Zangeneh

  • 1Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Medical Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.

Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
|January 25, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Eggerthella lenta, an anaerobic bacterium, can cause severe disseminated infections. This case highlights successful treatment of a healthy individual with multiple abscesses using penicillin G and metronidazole.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Anaerobic bacteria are common human flora but can cause severe infections.
  • Eggerthella lenta is an anaerobic Gram-positive rod found in the colon.
  • Disseminated Eggerthella infections are rare, especially in immunocompetent individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of complicated disseminated Eggerthella lenta infection.
  • To highlight the clinical presentation and management of such infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering anaerobic bacteria in severe infections.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a healthy immunocompetent male patient.
  • Detailed clinical presentation including multiple abscesses and osteomyelitis.
  • Treatment with empiric antibiotics: penicillin G and metronidazole.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with multiple brain abscesses, liver abscesses, necrotizing pneumonia, and osteomyelitis.
  • Eggerthella lenta was identified as the causative agent.
  • Successful treatment outcome with the prescribed antibiotic regimen.

Conclusions:

  • Eggerthella lenta can cause severe, life-threatening disseminated infections even in healthy individuals.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for successful management.
  • Penicillin G and metronidazole can be effective empiric treatments for Eggerthella infections.

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...