Culture-Negative Fusobacterium nucleatum Brain Abscess and Pleural Empyema Cases Revealed by 16S rRNA Sequencing

We reported two Fusobacterium nucleatum cases each of brain abscesses and pleural empyema, using 16S rRNA sequencing technology.

We reviewed clinical records and microbiological findings in four patients with F. nucleatum infection.

All conventional culture results from peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural fluid samples were found to be negative for this pathogen. Three patients were treated with antimicrobial agents for more than a week before specimen sampling. All patients recovered from their fusobacterial infections and were discharged.

Molecular identification methods such as 16S rRNA sequencing should accompany conventional culture to detect obligate anaerobic bacteria in deep-seated sites and organs.