Right forearm wound and soft tissue abscess complicated with sepsis due to Streptococcus suis: a case report

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an opportunistic zoonotic bacterial pathogen that is typically transmitted to humans through injured skin or mucous membranes, or through consumption of undercooked contaminated pork. It primarily causes meningitis, septicemia, arthritis, and endocarditis. Reports describing wound infection as the predominant clinical manifestation of S. suis infection are rare. We report a case of S. suis wound infection complicated by sepsis.

A 49-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with swelling and pain in her right forearm following wound debridement. According to her history, after wound debridement, she consumed pork soup at a local eatery, where the serving container may have been in contact with contaminated with raw pork. Both blood and wound pus cultures indicated infection with S. suis. Vancomycin and metronidazole were used to control the infection, while plasma transfusion was administered to improve coagulation. Multiple debridements, skin grafting, and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) were performed. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient achieved a satisfactory recovery and remained free of complications.

S. suis infections are commonly associated with individuals who consume raw or undercooked pork and occupational exposure in high-risk groups, including farm workers and butchers. However, trauma-associated infections are more commonly attributed to Staphylococcus aureus. This report draws attention to a possible association between wound infections in trauma patients and S. suis exposure, suggesting that this factor may be considered during clinical evaluation. Therefore, timely wound secretion and blood cultures play a critical role in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.