Actinomyces neuii and Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Actinomyces neuii belongs to the coryneform bacteria. In the case presented here this gram-positive rod had to be considered the pathogen causing not only the chorioam nionitis but also the neonatal sepsis. Conventional therapeutic regimes are effective due to the high sensitivity of A. neuii to beta-lactam antibiotics.

Pulmonary actinomycosis

“…In addition to these traditional actinomycotic forms, some coryneform anaerobic bacteria have also recently been assigned to the genus Actinomyces by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA [35,36]. Their pathogenic role in humans remains unclear [37]. A. bovis, the causative agent in bovine infections, is generally not considered to be a human pathogen.…”

Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Actinomyces neuii , a Rare Pathogen

“…It also appears in patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis (14), genitourinary infections (8,13), bloodstream infections and native valve endocarditis (3,8), pericarditis (12), and biomaterial infections (1,9,15,16,18). Treatment consists of surgical debridement.…”

Actinomyces Species and Cerclage Placement in Neonatal Sepsis: A Case Report

“…The infant in the original case report had only mild respiratory distress and an elevated band count. The original case report infant was treated with ampicillin, gentamicin initially and then switched to parenteral penicillin G for 2 weeks and oral penicillin G for the following 4 weeks, 8 while our patient was treated with multiple antibiotics, see Figure 1. This case of Actinomyces was complicated by the prolonged time (15 days) between the onset of symptoms (birth) and identification of Actinomyces species.…”

“…6,7 This is the second identified case report of neonatal sepsis caused by Actinomyces species. 8 In both cases, the infant was premature (27 weeks EGA vs. 29 weeks EGA). In the previous case report, the mother had copious white vaginal discharge at 16 weeks but the amniotic fluid is not described at the time of rupture.…”

“…The original case report identified the Actinomyces neuii early in the hospital course. 8 The mother presented with PTL at 26 weeks EGA and was treated with tocolytics, steroids and ampicillin for GBS prophylaxis. We postulate that ampicillin may have partially treated the chorionic/amniotic Actinomyces infection, only for the infection to be clinically symptomatic 2 weeks later.…”