Bacteremia caused by Veillonella parvula: Two case reports and a review of the literature

Anaerobe. 2024 Aug:88:102879. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102879. Epub 2024 Jun 19.

Abstract

Veillonella parvula is a non-motile gram-negative coccus that forms part of the normal microbiota in several body sites and which has been rarely isolated as cause of infections in human population, particularly in bacteremias. Here we give the overview of characteristics of genus Veillonella and the summary of its role in infections, particularly in bacteremia. We additionally report two patients with bacteremia due to V. parvula. Two sets of blood cultures of each patient yielded a pure culture of an anaerobic microorganism identified as V. parvula by MALDI-TOF MS, and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The two patients were male and one of them had risk factors for anaerobic bacteremia. The isolates were susceptible to most antibiotics and the outcome was successful in both patients. Bacteremia due to V. parvula is still rare. MALDI-TOF MS appear to be an excellent tool for the correct identification of these species.

Keywords: Anaerobic bacteria; Blood cultures; MALDI TOF MS; Veillonella parvula.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia* / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia* / microbiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S* / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Veillonella* / classification
  • Veillonella* / genetics
  • Veillonella* / isolation & purification

Substances

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