Infections due to Vagococcus spp. Microbiological and clinical aspects and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: An increase in recent years in the isolation of Vagococcus spp. is suggestive of emerging infection by this pathogen in our hospital.

Methods: Prospective, descriptive study.

Period: July 2014-January 2019. Phenotypic identification of 15 isolates of Vagococcus spp. was performed by conventional biochemical tests, automated methodology and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Molecular identification was achieved by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The Vitek™ 2C automated system was used to test antibiotic susceptibility.

Results: The molecular method identified 11 Vagococcus fluvialis, one Vagococcus lutrae and three Vagococcus spp. MALDI-TOF MS facilitated the rapid recognition of the genus. The most active antibiotics were ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. Most of the cases of isolation were associated with skin and soft tissue or osteoarticular infections in patients with diabetes.

Conclusion: This article is the most extensive review of cases of Vagococcus spp. infection reported in the literature and highlights the microbiological and clinical aspects of this pathogen.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Emerging pathogen; Espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF MS); Infecciones osteoarticulares; Infección de piel y partes blandas; Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS); Osteoarticular infections; Patógeno emergente; Skin and soft tissue infection; Vagococcus spp..