Disseminated Streptococcus gallinaceus infection. A new breed of zoonotic Streptococcus

Streptococcus gallinaceus is a new species of Streptococcus that was first isolated in 2004 in chickens. Infections in humans are associated with chicken exposure. There are very few case reports of human infections with this organism and none with disseminated infection. We report a case of Streptococcus gallinaceus bacteremia complicated by aortic valve endocarditis and lumbar osteomyelitis and paraspinal abscess in a patient with chicken exposure. The patient presented with progressive lower back pain and malaise. Blood culture was positive for Streptococcus gallinaceus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine showed L2-L3 osteomyelitis with a compression fracture and paraspinal abscess. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe aortic insufficiency, 1-cm aortic valve echo density suspected to be a vegetation, and perforation of the right coronary cusp. He subsequently underwent anaortic valve repair. Pathology confirmed acute endocarditis with associated vegetations and granulation tissues. He was successfully treated with a six-week course of ceftriaxone.