Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature
Abstract Background Over the last two decades, several cases of infections caused by Lactococcus lactis have been reported. This Gram-positive coccus is considered non-pathogenic for humans. However, in some rare cases, it can cause serious infections such as endocarditis, peritonitis, and intra-abd...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03676-1 |
| _version_ | 1797853810535694336 |
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| author | Wahib Lahlou Abderrahim Bourial Taib Maaouni Ahmed Bensaad Ilham Bensahi Mohamed Sabry Mohamed Miguil |
| author_facet | Wahib Lahlou Abderrahim Bourial Taib Maaouni Ahmed Bensaad Ilham Bensahi Mohamed Sabry Mohamed Miguil |
| author_sort | Wahib Lahlou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Over the last two decades, several cases of infections caused by Lactococcus lactis have been reported. This Gram-positive coccus is considered non-pathogenic for humans. However, in some rare cases, it can cause serious infections such as endocarditis, peritonitis, and intra-abdominal infections. Case presentation A 56-year-old Moroccan patient was admitted to the hospital because of diffuse abdominal pain and fever. The patient had no past medical history. Five days before his admission, he developed abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant along with chills and feverish sensations. Investigations showed a liver abscess, which was drained, and the microbiological study of the pus revealed Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. Three days after admission, control computed tomography objectified splenic infarctions. Cardiac explorations were performed and showed a floating vegetation on the ventricle side of the aortic valve. We retained the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria. The patient was declared afebrile on day 5 and the evolution was clinically and biologically favorable. Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, formerly known as Streptococcus cremoris, is a rare cause of human infections. The first case of Lactococcus lactis cremoris endocarditis was reported in 1955. This organism includes three subspecies: lactis, cremoris, and hordniae. A MEDLINE and Scopus search showed only 13 cases of infectious endocarditis due to Lactococcus lactis, with subsp. cremoris identified in four of the cases. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case report of the co-occurrence of Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess. Despite its reported low virulence and good response to antibiotic treatment, Lactococcus lactis endocarditis must be considered a serious disease. It is imperative for a clinician to suspect this microorganism of causing endocarditis when they notice signs of infectious endocarditis in a patient with a history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or contact with farm animals. The finding of a liver abscess should lead to an investigation of endocarditis, even in previously healthy patients without obvious clinical signs of endocarditis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:56:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c1c611eafddc452b9a5f38d7639c08a5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:56:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-c1c611eafddc452b9a5f38d7639c08a52023-04-03T05:28:09ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472023-03-011711810.1186/s13256-022-03676-1Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literatureWahib Lahlou0Abderrahim Bourial1Taib Maaouni2Ahmed Bensaad3Ilham Bensahi4Mohamed Sabry5Mohamed Miguil6Department of Polyvalent Resuscitation Unit, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthCheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthDepartment of Polyvalent Resuscitation Unit, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthDepartment of Visceral Surgery, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthDepartment of Cardiology, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthDepartment of Cardiology, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthDepartment of Polyvalent Resuscitation Unit, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and HealthAbstract Background Over the last two decades, several cases of infections caused by Lactococcus lactis have been reported. This Gram-positive coccus is considered non-pathogenic for humans. However, in some rare cases, it can cause serious infections such as endocarditis, peritonitis, and intra-abdominal infections. Case presentation A 56-year-old Moroccan patient was admitted to the hospital because of diffuse abdominal pain and fever. The patient had no past medical history. Five days before his admission, he developed abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant along with chills and feverish sensations. Investigations showed a liver abscess, which was drained, and the microbiological study of the pus revealed Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. Three days after admission, control computed tomography objectified splenic infarctions. Cardiac explorations were performed and showed a floating vegetation on the ventricle side of the aortic valve. We retained the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria. The patient was declared afebrile on day 5 and the evolution was clinically and biologically favorable. Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, formerly known as Streptococcus cremoris, is a rare cause of human infections. The first case of Lactococcus lactis cremoris endocarditis was reported in 1955. This organism includes three subspecies: lactis, cremoris, and hordniae. A MEDLINE and Scopus search showed only 13 cases of infectious endocarditis due to Lactococcus lactis, with subsp. cremoris identified in four of the cases. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case report of the co-occurrence of Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess. Despite its reported low virulence and good response to antibiotic treatment, Lactococcus lactis endocarditis must be considered a serious disease. It is imperative for a clinician to suspect this microorganism of causing endocarditis when they notice signs of infectious endocarditis in a patient with a history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or contact with farm animals. The finding of a liver abscess should lead to an investigation of endocarditis, even in previously healthy patients without obvious clinical signs of endocarditis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03676-1EndocarditisLactococcus lactisLactococcus lactis subsp. cremorisLiver abscessSplenic infarction |
| spellingShingle | Wahib Lahlou Abderrahim Bourial Taib Maaouni Ahmed Bensaad Ilham Bensahi Mohamed Sabry Mohamed Miguil Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature Journal of Medical Case Reports Endocarditis Lactococcus lactis Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Liver abscess Splenic infarction |
| title | Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature |
| title_full | Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature |
| title_fullStr | Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature |
| title_short | Lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature |
| title_sort | lactococcus lactis endocarditis and liver abscess in an immunocompetent patient a case report and review of the literature |
| topic | Endocarditis Lactococcus lactis Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Liver abscess Splenic infarction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03676-1 |
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