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[Gemella haemolysans brain abscess in a child with complex congenital heart disease]

Mehdi Chinbo1, Amal Addebbous1, Mariame Moutachakkir1

  • 1Laboratoire de microbiologie, Hôpital Mère enfant, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech ; Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Maroc.

Annales De Biologie Clinique
|August 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Gemella haemolysans, a bacterium normally found in the throat, can cause brain abscesses in children, even those with congenital heart disease. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Gemella haemolysans is a Gram-positive coccus typically residing in the oropharyngeal mucosa.
  • While recognized for causing abscesses, its role in pediatric brain abscesses is less understood.

Observation:

  • This case report details the first pediatric brain abscess caused by Gemella haemolysans in an 11-year-old child.
  • The patient had a complex congenital heart condition (dextrocardia with a single right ventricle).

Findings:

  • The pediatric patient with Gemella haemolysans brain abscess experienced a favorable outcome with antibiotic therapy.
  • Gemella haemolysans can be misidentified due to its resemblance to Streptococcus viridans group.

Implications:

  • This case highlights Gemella haemolysans as a potential pathogen in pediatric brain abscesses.
  • Accurate laboratory identification of Gemella haemolysans is critical for appropriate patient management.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full spectrum of Gemella haemolysans infections in children.
Keywords:
Gemella haemolysansbrain abscesscomplex congenital heart diseasepediatric case

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