Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Eggerthella lenta in Bloodstream Infections

Pol J Microbiol. 2022 Jun 19;71(2):257-261. doi: 10.33073/pjm-2022-024.

Abstract

The identification and antibiotic susceptibility of two clinical isolates of Eggerthella lenta from bloodstream infections were determined. This microorganism is rarely pathogenic, and the findings are presented here to promote the detection and awareness of this infection. The bacteria were obtained from one patient with pressure sores and another with a malignant gastric tumor. Smears were prepared, stained, and examined by microscopy. Single colonies were analyzed by Gram staining, MALDI-TOF MS, and the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antibiotic sensitivity was assessed by the agar dilution method. The bacilli were found to be Gram-positive, and the MS results showed 99.8% homology with E. lenta. It was confirmed by gene sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility tests demonstrated that E. lenta was sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin-sulbactam, imipenem, meropenem, metronidazole, clindamycin, and vancomycin. This study could increase awareness of this rare infection.

Keywords: Eggerthella lenta; antibiotic sensitivity; bacteremia; identification.

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia* / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Supplementary concepts

  • Eggerthella lenta