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Published on: September 8, 2021
Enterococcus cecorum human infection, France
E Delaunay1, C Abat1, J-M Rolain1
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Enterococcus cecorum is a bacterium of the intestinal tract of many domestic animals that is rarely reported as human pathogen. Here we report the first case of incisional hernia plate infection and the first case of urinary tract colonization due to E. cecorum from patients in Marseille, France.
Insights
Enterococcus cecorum, typically found in animals, is rarely a human pathogen. This study details the first reported cases of E. cecorum causing incisional hernia plate infection and urinary tract colonization in humans.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Enterococcus cecorum is a commensal bacterium residing in the intestinal tract of various domestic animals.
- Its role as a human pathogen is infrequently documented, making human infections rare.
- Understanding the pathogenic potential of animal-associated bacteria is crucial for public health.
Observation:
- This report documents two distinct cases of human infection attributed to Enterococcus cecorum.
- One case involved an incisional hernia plate infection, a site rarely associated with this bacterium.
- The second case presented as a urinary tract colonization by E. cecorum.
Findings:
- These findings represent the first documented instances of incisional hernia plate infection and urinary tract colonization by Enterococcus cecorum in human patients.
- The bacterium was identified in clinical samples from patients in Marseille, France.
- This expands the known spectrum of E. cecorum-associated human diseases.
Implications:
- The study highlights the potential for Enterococcus cecorum to act as an opportunistic human pathogen.
- It underscores the importance of considering animal-origin bacteria in clinical diagnostics, especially in cases with unclear etiology.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the transmission routes and pathogenic mechanisms of E. cecorum in humans.
