Odontogenic infection secondary to Leuconostoc species

Abstract

Leuconostoc species are gaining importance as pathogenic organisms. We present the first case of odontogenic infection caused by Leuconostoc spp. Isolates initially identified as streptococci were found to be vancomycin resistant. Rigorous bacteriologic investigation subsequently classified these organisms as Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

OSTEOMYELITIS CAUSED BY LEUCONOSTOC SPECIES

“…Bacteremia is the most common Leuconostoc infection with other infections including pneumonia, meningitis, infected peritoneal dialysis fluid and ondotogenic abscess 2 –6 . This is the first case of Leuconostoc osteomyelitis in any patient.…”

Leuconostoc sepsis in a previously healthy neonate

“…Infec-tions caused by the Leuconostoc genus have a wide clinical spectrum. There are reported cases where Leuconostoc spp is involved in meningitis, ventriculitis, peritonitis, liver abscesses, breast abscesses, infections of dental origin, catheter-related infections, osteomyelitis, endophthalmitis, pneumonia, bacteremia and sepsis syndrome [3,4,10,[20][21][22]. A nosocomial outbreak by this agent in critically ill patients [23] and urinary infections associated with indwelling urinary catheter have also been described [24].…”

Identification, classification, and clinical relevance of catalase-negative, gram-positive cocci, excluding the streptococci and enterococci

“…The Leuconostoc spp. have been isolated from a wide variety of infections in humans, including meningitis (39,66), odontogenic infection (153), catheter-associated infection (83), and bacteremia or septicemia (15,50,76,99,124). Frequently, bacteria are associated with a polymicrobial infection and are isolated after the patient has been treated with vancomycin to eliminate the suspected pathogen (15,82,88,131).…”