Gemella morbillorum as a source bacteria for necrotising fasciitis of the torso

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Jan 6;13(1):e231727. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-231727.

Abstract

A 66-year-old man presented with upper back cellulitis and imaging findings consistent with a necrotising soft tissue infection. He was started on broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and was taken to the operating room for immediate surgical debridement. On postoperative day 5, the culture was noted to be growing Gemella morbillorum, an exceedingly rare cause of necrotising soft tissue infections in immunocompetent hosts. His condition improved, and he was transitioned to oral antibiotics and discharged home.

Keywords: gas/free gas; general surgery; infectious diseases; surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Debridement
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / drug therapy*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / microbiology
  • Gemella / isolation & purification*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Torso / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Gemella morbillorum