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Lactococcus lactis cremoris infection: not rare anymore?
Simone Hadjisymeou1, Peter Loizou, Prasad Kothari
1Department of ENT, Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust, London, UK. simonehadji@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|May 14, 2013
Summary
A rare neck abscess in a diabetic patient was initially suspected to be malignant but was caused by Lactococcus lactis cremoris. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens in atypical neck abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Neck abscesses can present with varied etiologies, sometimes mimicking malignancy.
- Diabetes mellitus is a common comorbidity that can influence infection susceptibility.
Observation:
- A middle-aged female diabetic patient presented with a right neck abscess.
- Initial imaging and biopsy suggested malignancy or chronic inflammation.
- Advanced imaging (MRI, PET) was inconclusive for primary malignancy source.
Findings:
- Surgical drainage and histological examination revealed the abscess was caused by Lactococcus lactis cremoris.
- This finding is significant given the limited evidence of L. lactis cremoris as a human pathogen.
- The patient recovered fully after antibiotic treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need to consider atypical bacterial pathogens in complex neck abscesses.
- The rise in organic farming may increase exposure to environmental bacteria like L. lactis cremoris.
- Diagnostic strategies for neck masses should include a broad differential, encompassing rare microbial causes.
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