A Case of Brain Abscess Caused by Actinomyces Cardiffensis and Parvimonas Micra

Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 2020 Dec 20;45(4):189-194.

Abstract

Brain abscesses occur in 0.3-1.3 per 100,000 worldwide each year with 0.4-0.9 in Japan alone. Most of the causes are direct infection from a nearby infectious lesion and are rarely caused by an odontogenic infection. Here, we reported a case of brain abscess suspected to be associated with odontogenic infection. The patient was a 55-year-old woman. Blurred eyes and pain in the left eye noted, for which she consulted an ophthalmologist, but her eyes were normal. She was conscious and was able to converse clearly, but she could not read the letters and had difficulty in writing at the time of admission. A brain abscess was diagnosed based on the head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical course, and a small craniotomy abscess drainage was performed. A. cardiffensis and P. micra were detected in the abscess, suggesting the involvement of periodontal disease bacteria. After the surgery, antimicrobial treatment was performed for about 2 months. At the same time, perioperative treatment was performed. On the 70th day after the surgery, tooth extraction, which was considered as the source of infection, was performed. The patient was discharged 74 days after surgery. A good turning point was obtained without relapse of symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetaceae* / pathogenicity
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Bacterial Infections / therapy
  • Brain Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess / etiology*
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Brain Abscess / therapy
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / therapy
  • Craniotomy / methods
  • Drainage / methods
  • Female
  • Firmicutes* / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontitis / complications*
  • Periodontitis / microbiology*
  • Periodontitis / surgery
  • Perioperative Care
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Parvimonas micra
  • Schaalia cardiffensis