Bacteremia due to Parabacteroides distasonis: Experience with 4 cases

Abstract

Objective: To report a series of four uncommon cases of bacteremia due to Parabacteroides distasonis.

Methods: We have analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment and outcome of these patients.

Results: Two sets of blood cultures of each patient yielded a pure culture of an anaerobic microorganism identified as P. distasonis by MALDI-TOF MS, and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All patients were male and they had risk factors for anaerobic bacteremia. All isolates were susceptible to metronidazole and the outcome was successful in three patients.

Conclusions: Bloodstream infections due to P. distasonis are still rare. MALDI-TOF MS appear to be an excellent tool for the correct identification.

Keywords: Anaerobic bacteria; Blood cultures; Gene sequencing; MALDI TOF MS; Parabacteroides distasonis.