Septic shock caused by the under-recognized bacterium Eggerthella lenta in a 61-year-old male with a periurethral abscess: a case report

Abstract

Eggerthella lenta is a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that has been associated with life-threatening infections. Bacteremia is always clinically significant and is mostly but not always associated with gastrointestinal disease. We present a unique case of abrupt deterioration and rapid development of septic shock secondary to periurethral abscess caused by E. lenta infection. This case highlights the atypical clinical presentation, risk factors, uncommon source of infection, challenges in therapy, and outcome of this infrequent infection. There is still a gap in the understanding of E. lenta pathogenicity, and more literature is needed to establish clear management recommendations.

Extension of platelet shelf life with an improved bacterial testing algorithm

“…However, we also isolated the anaerobe E. lenta, a resident of normal gastrointestinal flora that has been involved in bloodstream infections. 22 It has been difficult to assess the pathogenicity of C. acnes in transfusion settings. Reports of mild transfusion reactions with PCs contaminated with this bacterium have been reported in Germany and France.…”

“…Our results, like those of others, show that the predominant anaerobe detected during PC screening is the skin flora C. acnes , which is considered of low pathogenicity. However, we also isolated the anaerobe E. lenta , a resident of normal gastrointestinal flora that has been involved in bloodstream infections 22 …”

Sepsis caused by Eggerthelle lenta: case report

“…E. lenta infection has been documented in patients with sepsis caused by various diseases, such as appendicitis, [6] bedsore infection, [7] intervertebral disc infection, [8,9] urinary tract infection, [10] frontal sinusitis, [11] myositis pyogenes, [9] and endometritis. [12] In particular, patients with bedsores, immunocompromised status (such as steroid use, recent chemotherapy, end-stage renal disease, diabetes), cancer, gastrointestinal diseases (such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), and congestive heart failure are much more prone to develop sepsis due to E. lenta.…”

An unusual case of empyema with septicaemia secondary to eggerthella lenta

“…J Clin Images Med Case Rep. 2022; 3(3): 1722. fects the immunocompromised, elderly patients with pre-existing co-morbidities such as cancer and diabetes mellitus [2,10]. However, the infectious burden of this organism has not been well recognized due to historical difficulties, limitations of phenotypic identification and obscurities to culture from infected sites [4]. Pneumonia is the most common aetiology of pleural infections that can progress to empyema characterized by pus or bacteria in the pleural space.…”