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An Uncommon Cause of Urinary Tract Infections: A Case Report
Jonathan Otero-Colón1, Kristen L Farraj1, Zalak Desai1
1Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, USA.
Abstract:
Urinary tract infections (UTI) in the elderly are common. UTI ranges in severity from mild disease to severe sepsis. Many organisms can cause UTIs yet many UTIs are caused by the same few organisms. An organism that has been increasingly gaining notoriety for infections is Aerococcus urinae. Aerococcus infections are constantly misdiagnosed due to their difficulty to identify. Here we present a case of an elderly male who was found to have a urinary tract infection with Aerococcus urinaethat progressed into bacteremia, severe sepsis and ultimately death.
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in the elderly. This case highlights Aerococcus urinae, a difficult-to-identify bacteria causing severe sepsis and death in an elderly male patient.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a frequent health concern in the elderly population.
- UTIs can range from mild to life-threatening conditions like sepsis.
- Common pathogens cause most UTIs, but emerging organisms require attention.
Observation:
- Aerococcus urinae is an increasingly recognized cause of infection.
- This bacterium is often misdiagnosed due to identification challenges.
- A case involved an elderly male with a UTI caused by Aerococcus urinae.
Findings:
- The patient developed bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) secondary to the UTI.
- The infection progressed to severe sepsis, a critical systemic inflammatory response.
- Despite medical intervention, the patient's condition led to death.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of recognizing Aerococcus urinae in elderly patients with UTIs.
- Emphasizes the need for improved diagnostic methods for this pathogen.
- Underscores the potential severity of Aerococcus urinae infections, including sepsis and mortality.
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