Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model
Published on: July 1, 2018
mNGS-Supported Interpretation of Staphylococcus pettenkoferi Bloodstream Infection After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A
Qingjun Li1,2, Xiaoyu Wang3, Shiwei Zhang4
1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is an uncommon coagulase-negative staphylococcus whose recovery from blood may be difficult to interpret because of the frequent contamination associated with this bacterial group. We report a case in which peripheral-blood metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and repeated blood cultures supported clinically significant bloodstream infection after intracerebral hemorrhage.
Patients And Methods:
We described the clinical course, imaging findings, microbiological results, and antimicrobial management of an 85-year-old man admitted to the intensive care unit after intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular extension. Peripheral-blood mNGS and two sets of peripheral blood cultures were obtained during early fever evaluation.
Results:
Peripheral-blood mNGS, performed on samples obtained immediately after ICU admission and before neurosurgical intervention or intracranial device placement, detected S. pettenkoferi within 24 h. At 72 h, both peripheral blood culture sets yielded the same organism. Concordant results from mNGS and repeated peripheral blood cultures, together with the clinical context, supported clinically significant bloodstream infection rather than simple contamination. The respiratory tract was considered a presumed source in the setting of clinically suspected aspiration-related pulmonary infection, although it was not microbiologically confirmed.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the need for cautious interpretation of uncommon coagulase-negative staphylococci recovered from blood. Peripheral-blood mNGS may provide early etiologic support, but conventional blood culture remains essential for confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Insights
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and blood cultures confirmed a bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus pettenkoferi after intracerebral hemorrhage. This highlights the importance of careful interpretation of uncommon bacteria in blood cultures.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci, including Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, are uncommon causes of bloodstream infections.
- Interpreting the significance of S. pettenkoferi in blood cultures can be challenging due to frequent contamination.
- Intracerebral hemorrhage presents a complex clinical scenario where bloodstream infections require accurate diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Cryptococcal Meningitis