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Published on: June 28, 2018
Sarcina ventriculi Bacteremia Complicating Aspiration Pneumonia: A Case Report
Shogo Saito1, Yusuke Sasaki2, Hiromi Nagashima3
1Department of Central Clinical Laboratory, Iwate Medical University Hospital, Yahaba, JPN.
Abstract:
Sarcina ventriculi, a large anaerobic Gram-positive coccus that clusters in tetrads, is most commonly detected histologically in gastric biopsy specimens from patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Herein, we describe a rare case of bacteremia caused by S. ventriculi in an 89-year-old man. The patient had a history of cerebral infarction, atrophic gastritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was receiving home oxygen therapy. He was admitted to our hospital with a right femoral neck fracture. Three days after femoral surgery, he developed aspiration pneumonia, and S. ventriculi was detected in the anaerobic blood culture bottle. A Gram-stained sputum smear showed large Gram-positive cocci (presumed to be S. ventriculi) clustered in tetrads. The patient was diagnosed with S. ventriculi bacteremia as a complication of aspiration pneumonia and recovered after ceftriaxone treatment. A literature review revealed only three previous case reports of S. ventriculi bacteremia. In previous case reports, the gastrointestinal tract was the presumed portal of entry into the blood. To our knowledge, S. ventriculi bacteremia has not previously been reported as a complication of lower respiratory tract infection.
Insights
Sarcina ventriculi bacteremia is rare, usually linked to gastrointestinal issues. This case highlights a new link between Sarcina ventriculi bacteremia and lower respiratory tract infection, specifically aspiration pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sarcina ventriculi is a large anaerobic Gram-positive coccus.
- It is typically found in gastric biopsies of patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
Observation:
- A rare case of Sarcina ventriculi bacteremia occurred in an 89-year-old male patient.
- The patient presented with aspiration pneumonia following femoral surgery.
Findings:
- Sarcina ventriculi was identified in blood cultures and sputum smears.
- This marks the first reported instance of Sarcina ventriculi bacteremia complicating a lower respiratory tract infection.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known clinical presentations of Sarcina ventriculi infections.
- It suggests the lower respiratory tract as a potential, previously unreported, portal of entry for S. ventriculi bacteremia.
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