Gas, Larvae, Coagulopathy, and a Rare Culprit: Emphysematous Cystitis and Enterococcus raffinosus Ventriculitis...

We describe the first documented case of Enterococcus raffinosus (E. raffinosus) ventriculitis complicating Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) hyperinfection syndrome (SHS). A 40-year-old immunosuppressed Indigenous man from a hyperendemic region presented with septic shock from a resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) emphysematous cystitis (EC). Diagnostic challenges related to cirrhosis and atypical SS presentation delayed recognition, culminating in ventriculitis confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. Targeted parenteral antibiotics and ivermectin led to full recovery after a prolonged admission and rehabilitation process. This case underscores several critical clinical lessons: empirical daily ivermectin should be strongly considered for patients with sepsis from hyperendemic regions, as it may be lifesaving. Awareness of the hyperendemicity of SS in certain regions of Australia is crucial, as it can precipitate life-threatening septicaemia and central nervous system infections. The cumulative impact of immunosuppressive factors such as diabetes, alcohol dependence, and malnutrition warrants careful evaluation in such patients, as they are easy to overlook. Finally, this case expands our understanding of the pathogenic potential of E. raffinosus, a bacterium rarely represented in the current literature.