Urinary tract infection by aerococcus sanguinicola. An emerging opportunistic pathogen

Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 2018 Oct;218(7):351-355. doi: 10.1016/j.rce.2018.04.002.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Elderly patients with underlying urological disease have a greater risk of urinary tract infections due to uncommon pathogens. The disease caused by Aerococcus has been underestimated, but mass spectrometry could be a simple method for identifying this pathogen. In this study, we report 2 cases of urinary tract infection by Aerococcus sanguinicola. A descriptive clinical-microbiological study was conducted on the presence of A. sanguinicola causing urinary tract infections. The presence of A. sanguinicola occurred in elderly patients with previous urological disease and a significant count in urine obtained through bladder catheterisation. Correct identification was achieved through mass spectrometry, and the clinical outcome of administering amoxicillin and cefuroxime was satisfactory. In this study, we also report the pathogenic capacity of A. sanguinicola. When there is a significant number of alpha-haemolytic microorganisms in the urine cultures, A. sanguinicola should be ruled out before reporting a result as urogenital microbiota.

Keywords: Aerococcus sanguinicola; Espectrometría de masas; Infección del tracto urinario; Mass spectrometry; Urinary tract infection.