Aerococcus viridans infection: case report and review

Aerococcus viridans is a bacteria that rarely causes infection in humans, but can product a fatal condition in lobsters. When this pathogen does infect people, the patients are almost always adults. There have been only three cases published of Aerococcus infections in children. These three children, ranging in age from 5 to 24 months, all developed meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Two recovered completely and the youngest infant died. This article reports another case of A. viridans infection in a child. A one-month-old black infant was brought to the hospital with symptoms of drowsiness, lethargy, irritability, and loss of appetite; he was also having loose stools. Upon arrival at the hospital, the child had a fever and rapid pulse. Examination of his cerebrospinal fluid and urine showed no infection, but blood samples indicated infection with A. viridans. Two intravenous antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin, were effective in treating the infection and the baby recovered fully. The patient was followed-up for 11 months, and was found to grow well without further serious illness. A review of the literature showed that Aerococcus may occur in the air of housing units, in hospital operating and delivery rooms, and in meats and raw vegetables. In adults, A. viridans has caused infections of the heart, the blood (bacteremia), the urinary tract, bone, joints, and wounds. The antibiotics that are usually effective against this infection are penicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, and erythromycin. While it rarely affects children, A. viridans infection should be kept in mind as a possible cause of meningitis or bacteremia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)