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Mycoplasma hominis Intracranial Abscess Diagnosed by Characteristic Colonies Obtained Through Extended Culture: Case

Oki Sato1, Keitaro Iwata1, Makoto Murase2

  • 1Infectious Diseases, Saitama Medical Center/Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JPN.

Cureus
|March 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma hominis can cause rare intracranial abscesses. Extended cultures are crucial for diagnosing this infection when Gram staining is negative, ensuring effective treatment for brain abscesses.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma hominis is a known cause of genitourinary infections and pregnancy complications.
  • Intracranial abscesses caused by M. hominis are exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A case of M. hominis intracranial abscess is presented in a male patient in his 70s following a traffic accident and urethral catheterization.
  • Initial Gram staining of abscess specimens was negative for microorganisms, delaying diagnosis.

Findings:

  • M. hominis was identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing after prolonged culture of abscess material, revealing pinpoint colonies.
  • The patient was successfully treated with levofloxacin and clindamycin after initial antibiotic regimens failed.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering M. hominis in intracranial abscesses, especially when Gram staining is unrevealing.
  • Extended culture and molecular methods are vital for diagnosing rare microbial causes of brain abscesses.
Keywords:
16s rrna genecharacteristic colonyextended cultureintracranial abscessmycoplasma hominis

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