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Published on: February 23, 2014
[Intra-abdominal infections in adults caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: report of 18 cases]
Ana Maria Gasparotto1, Ariel Gianecini2, Andres Kasparian3
1Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Departamento de Bacteriología. agasparotto@unc.edu.ar.
Introduction:
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is occasionally implicated as a cause of intra-abdominal infection (IIASpn) that can be 1) spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in elderly patients with previous peritoneal disease, associated with cirrhosis, in most of the cases 2) associated or adjacent to an intra-abdominal organ or postsurgical. (IIAbq) 3) peritonitis in previously healthy young women (PHYW). Our objective is report 18 cases of IIASpn describing: clinical presentation, comorbidities, need for surgery, microbiological findings, sensitivity of Spn to antimicrobials, therapeutic behavior, and evolution.
Methods:
study of 18 adult patients with IIASpn. Clinical and microbiological characteristics and evolution of infections were analyzed.
Results:
IIASpn occurred in 9 PHYW, 6 men and 1 woman with SBP, and 2 men with appendicitis. The PHYW were operated on (4 pelviperitonitis, 3 salpingitis, 2 and tubo ovarian abscess) and had a favorable evolution. In the intraoperative samples, pure culture of Spn sensitive to penicillin was isolated. Three of four patients had positive blood culture. Five of seven patients with SBP died and in the peritoneal fluid developed Spn in pure culture. A large percentage of strains presented decreased sensitivity to penicillin. Four of five had a positive blood culture. Patients with appendicitis had favorable evolution.
Conclusions:
IIASpn in PHYW was the most frequent presentation, surgery played a significant role in treatment and the clinical response was excellent. The second presentation occurred in elderly patients with cirrhosis, most of whom died. Appendicitis was the third presentation in patients who evolved favorably.
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) can cause intra-abdominal infections (IIASpn) in previously healthy young women, elderly patients with cirrhosis, and appendicitis cases. IIASpn in young women showed excellent surgical outcomes, while elderly patients had high mortality.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is an uncommon cause of intra-abdominal infections (IIASpn).
- IIASpn presents in distinct patient groups: previously healthy young women (PHYW), elderly patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and cases associated with appendicitis.
- Understanding the clinical spectrum and outcomes of IIASpn is crucial for effective management.
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