Identification and Clinical Significance of Helcococcus kunzii in Human Samples

J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Aug;53(8):2703-5. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00947-15. Epub 2015 May 20.

Abstract

From 2008 to 2013, 39 Helcococcus kunzii strains were collected from human clinical specimens (79% from foot ulcers), and 85% of the 39 patients were infected. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and molecular methods accurately identified all isolates. This large study of clinical observations confirms the potential pathogenic role of H. kunzii.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Female
  • Firmicutes / chemistry
  • Firmicutes / classification*
  • Firmicutes / isolation & purification*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents