Catheter-Related Leuconostoc Bacteraemia in a Pregnant HIV-Infected Woman

Abstract

Leuconostoc species are Gram-positive coccobacilli that are members of the family of streptococcaceae. They are rarely encountered in clinical medicine and in the past were considered culture contaminants. More recently they have been recognized as a potential pathogen causing opportunistic infections. Unlike other Gram-positive cocci Leuconostoc spp. are intrinsically resistant to vancomycin. Here we present a case of fever and Leuconostoc spp. bacteraemia in a pregnant HIV-infected woman requiring parenteral nutrition via central venous access for severe hyperemesis gravidarum. The infection was successfully treated with catheter removal. To our knowledge this is the first report of bacteremia with this organism in pregnancy as well as in an adult HIV infected patient. Issues of possible misidentification of this organism as alpha-hemolytic streptococcus are discussed.

J Med Cases. 2012;3(6):331-333
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc822w