Clinical and epidemiological features of Enterococcus casseliflavus/flavescens and Enterococcus gallinarum bacteremia: a report of 20 cases

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Jun 1;32(11):1540-6. doi: 10.1086/320542. Epub 2001 Apr 30.

Abstract

The clinical significance of intrinsically vancomycin-resistant enterococci is not yet fully established, as these organisms are infrequently recovered from clinical specimens. We report our experience with 20 cases of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus/flavescens bacteremia in humans from 1992 through 1998. Sixteen cases of bacteremia were caused by E. gallinarum. Underlying conditions were present in 19 (95%) of the patients and included malignancy, receipt of transplant, and Caroli's disease. Polymicrobial bacteremia was present in 9 patients (45%). E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus/flavescens, although they are infrequently isolated from clinical specimens, may cause serious invasive infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteremia / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
  • Enterococcus / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents