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Lactobacillus rhamnosus Infection: A Single-center 4-year Descriptive Analysis
Fritzie S Albarillo1, Ushma Shah2, Cara Joyce3
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, USA.
Journal of Global Infectious Diseases
|December 21, 2020
Summary
Lactobacillus rhamnosus infections, though rare, occurred in seriously ill patients. Most infections were polymicrobial, often linked to gastrointestinal issues, but mortality was due to unrelated causes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a common commensal bacterium in the human gut and vaginal tract.
- Infections caused by L. rhamnosus are infrequently documented in medical literature.
- This study aimed to detail the clinical presentation and outcomes of L. rhamnosus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical courses of patients diagnosed with Lactobacillus rhamnosus infection.
- To elucidate the characteristics and outcomes of L. rhamnosus infections in a clinical setting.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted.
- Data were collected for patients with L. rhamnosus or L. rhamnosus/casei growth between January 2013 and December 2017.
Main Results:
- Thirty-five patients receiving therapy were analyzed, with common symptoms including leukocytosis, fever, and abdominal pain.
- Intra-abdominal infections, bacteremia, and mediastinitis were observed, frequently in polymicrobial settings.
- Gastrointestinal tract disruption, underlying malignancy, and prior antibiotic exposure were significant risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus species are generally considered to have low pathogenicity.
- This study highlights L. rhamnosus infections in a cohort of patients with severe underlying medical conditions.
- Clinical improvement was noted in over half of treated patients, with mortality attributed to comorbidities.
