Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 59 (2), 126-128, 2006
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Short Communication
An Unusual Case of Brain Abscess by Gemella morbillorum
Maria Carla Liberto*, Giovanni Matera, Rossana Puccio, Vincenzo Barbieri, Angela Quirino, Renata Capicotto, Vincenzo Guadagnino1, Kurt Pardatscher2 and Alfredo Foca
Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, 1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Infectious Diseases, and 2Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Neuroradiology, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
(Received August 11, 2005. Accepted February 3, 2006)
*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Institute of Microbiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Via T. Campanella 115, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy. Tel: +39-0961-712427, Fax: +39-0961-770403, E-mail: mliberto@unicz.it
SUMMARY: A case of deep brain abscess by Gemella morbillorum is described. Due to high fever, lethargy, severe headache, and the risk of intraventricular rupture of the suppurative lesion, a CT-guided stereotactic aspiration of the abscess was successfully performed. The patient responded well to a 6-week course of meropenem, metronidazole, and fluconazole. Gemella spp. should not be considered as trivial commensals of the mucous membranes, but appear as emerging pathogens involved in endocarditis, septic shock, and necrotizing pneumonia, as well as in serious intracranial infections.