A Rare Case of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides Bacteremia and Refractory Septic Shock

Mike Ghobrial; Mohamed Ibrahim; Spencer G Streit; Peter P Staiano; Vandana Seeram

doi:10.7759/cureus.38312

A Rare Case of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides Bacteremia and Refractory Septic Shock

Cureus. 2023 Apr 29;15(4):e38312. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38312. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Mike Ghobrial¹, Mohamed Ibrahim², Spencer G Streit¹, Peter P Staiano³, Vandana Seeram³

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.
² College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA.
³ Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.

Abstract

Leuconostoc species are rare causes of bacteremia and are commonly mistaken for Streptococcus species. Due to their inherent resistance to commonly used drugs, they are often overlooked resulting in poor and sometimes lethal outcomes. While there are not many reported cases of this bacterial infection, Leuconostoc species are important to consider when faced with a highly drug-resistant bacterial strain. We present here a case of a 29-year-old male who presented with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, initially resuscitated but ultimately succumbing to his illness. This is a unique case in which our patient was subsequently found to have a rare bloodstream infection with Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides.

Keywords: bacteremia; gram-positive bacteria; leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides; refractory septic shock; vancomycin resistant.

Publication types

Case Reports