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Case of infant invasive Streptococcus intermedius infection suggesting the need for anaerobic cultures
Yui Nakagawa1, Shogo Otake2, Tomoko Oue1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Japan.
Abstract:
We report the case of an immunocompetent 6-month-old boy with a lung abscess and empyema caused by Streptococcus intermedius detected only from anaerobic cultures. Invasive S. intermedius infection in infants is rare. S. intermedius has been infrequently reported as a causative microorganism of lung abscess and empyema as most of the S. intermedius infections in children have been head and neck infections. While anaerobic cultures are often not performed for infant patients, we suggest the need for these cultures, including blood cultures, especially in cases of pediatric empyema, brain abscess, and liver abscess, which can be caused by S. intermedius.
Insights
Streptococcus intermedius caused lung abscess and empyema in an infant, detected only via anaerobic cultures. This highlights the importance of anaerobic cultures for diagnosing rare invasive pediatric infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Invasive Streptococcus intermedius infections are rare in infants.
- S. intermedius typically causes head and neck infections in children.
- Lung abscess and empyema are uncommon presentations of S. intermedius in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old immunocompetent boy presented with lung abscess and empyema.
- S. intermedius was identified as the causative agent exclusively through anaerobic cultures.
- Standard aerobic cultures did not detect the presence of S. intermedius.
Findings:
- This case underscores the potential for S. intermedius to cause severe invasive infections in infants.
- The exclusive detection via anaerobic cultures suggests this method is crucial for identifying S. intermedius in certain pediatric infections.
- The findings challenge the perception of S. intermedius as solely a cause of superficial head and neck infections.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider anaerobic cultures, including blood cultures, for pediatric cases of empyema, brain abscess, and liver abscess.
- Routine use of anaerobic cultures may improve the diagnosis of invasive S. intermedius infections in infants.
- This case expands the known spectrum of invasive S. intermedius disease in immunocompetent children.
