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. 2024;19(15):1321-1332.
doi: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2383503. Epub 2024 Aug 7.

Emerging pathogens Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola from a Canadian tertiary care hospital

Pramath Kakodkar  1 , Joel Scott  1 , Javera Tariq  1 , Liqin Du  2 , Fang Wu  1   2 , Ninad Mehta  1   2 , Camille Hamula  1   2
Affiliations

Emerging pathogens Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola from a Canadian tertiary care hospital

Pramath Kakodkar et al. Future Microbiol. 2024.

Abstract

Background: Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola are emerging pathogens linked with urinary tract infections. We present a case series of A. urinae and A. sanguinicola isolates characterizing the spectrum of clinical presentation, microbiological characteristics and antimicrobial sensitivities.Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who grew positive cultures for A. urinae and A. sanguinicola identified on MALDI-TOF in Saskatchewan from January to June 2023. Demographic and clinical variables, antimicrobial susceptibility and prescription were documented.Results: This cohort (n = 115) had a median age 82 years. A. urinae and A. sanguinicola infections spanned from urinary tract infection (n = 96) to urosepsis (n = 6). These infections were predominantly monomicrobial (73.9%) and were susceptible to ceftriaxone, penicillin G and vancomycin. Antimicrobials were seldom prescribed within the urinary tract infection cohort (31.2%).Conclusion: Untreated A. urinae and A. sanguinicola infections can precipitate into urosepsis. The reported antimicrobial susceptibility for these Aerococcus isolates should be utilized to provide appropriate antimicrobial coverage.

Keywords: Aerococcus sanguinicola; Aerococcus urinae; elderly; fluoroquinolone resistance; hypothyroidism; long-term care facilities; uropathogen; urosepsis.

Plain language summary

Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola are bacteria that can cause urine infections. They are often overlooked and thought to be unable to cause serious blood infections, such as sepsis. We collected data on 87 cases of A. urinae and 28 cases of A. sanguinicola to show that these bacteria can cause urine and blood infections in elderly patients. We also looked at other studies and summarized that patients with serious blood infections from these bacteria often had a previous urine infection from these same bacteria. These bacteria can be resistant to a common antibiotic used to treat urine infections. It is important to test and report if these bacteria are resistant to this common antibiotic and doctors must be aware that they can cause serious blood infections if not treated with the correct antibiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Summary of MIC of CTX, PEN G and VANC against A. urinae and A. sanguinicola. CTX: Ceftriaxone; MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration; PEN G: Penicillin G; VANC: Vancomycin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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