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Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection Caused by Enterococcus gallinarum in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Kacie Clark1, Deborah Maka2

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Florida Hospital Orlando, Orlando, Florida, United States.

Journal of Pediatric Intensive Care
|May 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Enterococcus gallinarum, a bacterium with natural vancomycin resistance, can cause ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children. Prompt antibiotic treatment led to a full recovery in a pediatric case.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Enterococcus gallinarum is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in the gut.
  • This species exhibits intrinsic resistance to vancomycin, a critical antibiotic.
  • Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are used to treat hydrocephalus in children.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old female patient developed a VP shunt infection.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures identified Enterococcus gallinarum as the causative agent.
  • The infection presented as a complication of VP shunt placement.

Findings:

  • The patient was treated with ampicillin and gentamicin, demonstrating synergistic activity.
  • A 16-day antibiotic course resulted in negative CSF and blood cultures.
  • Complete clinical cure of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection was achieved.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of recognizing vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species in clinical practice.
  • Prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial for managing shunt infections.
  • Increased awareness of Enterococcus gallinarum's resistance patterns is necessary for effective pediatric infectious disease management.

Keywords:
Enterococcusmeningitisventriculoperitoneal shunt

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