Brain abscesses caused by Abiotrophia defectiva: complication of immunosuppressive therapy in a patient with connective-tissue disease

Scand J Infect Dis. 2004;36(6-7):497-9. doi: 10.1080/00365540410016104.

Abstract

We report the case of a patient who developed brain abscesses caused by Abiotrophia defectiva. The patient was treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide for connective-tissue disease (lupus-Sjögren's overlap syndrome). A few cases of central nervous system infections due to Abiotrophia species have been previously reported in immunocompetent patients following neurosurgical procedures, suggesting possible introduction of this organism at the time of surgery. This case report is the first report of brain abscesses due to A. defectiva in a pharmacologically immunosuppressed patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Cocci / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Cocci / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lupus Vulgaris / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus / drug effects
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone