Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes
08:34

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes

Published on: September 27, 2018

8.6K

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified a brain abscess caused by mixed oral anaerobe infection: A case

Zepeng Ma1, Hui Liu2, Ming Liu2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China.

Infectious Medicine
|June 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study reports a rare anaerobic brain abscess caused by oral bacteria, including Fusobacterium vincentii. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing rapidly diagnosed the mixed infection, guiding treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Brain abscesses are serious infections, often polymicrobial.
  • Anaerobic bacteria, particularly from oral flora, are implicated but Fusobacterium vincentii is rarely reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of a brain abscess caused by a unique combination of oral anaerobic bacteria.
  • To highlight the diagnostic utility of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in identifying causative pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • A patient with an anaerobic brain abscess was treated.
  • Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was employed for pathogen identification.
  • Clinical data and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The brain abscess was caused by a polymicrobial infection including Parvimonas micra, Streptococcus constellatus, Fusobacterium vincentii, and Bacteroides heparinolyticus.
  • Fusobacterium vincentii was identified in a brain abscess for the first time.
  • mNGS provided rapid and comprehensive etiological diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Oral anaerobic bacteria, including Fusobacterium vincentii, can cause brain abscesses.
  • mNGS is a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of brain abscesses and guiding antimicrobial therapy.
Keywords:
Anaerobic brain abscessBacteroides heparinolyticusFusobacterium vincentiiParvimonas micraStreptococcus constellatusmNGS

More Related Videos

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

27.9K
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

6.4K

Related Concept Videos

The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...