Epidural abscess caused by Veillonella parvula: Case report and review of the literature

J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2016 Oct;49(5):804-808. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2014.05.002. Epub 2014 Jul 25.

Abstract

Veillonella parvula, an anaerobic, Gram-negative coccus is part of the normal flora of the oral, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts in humans and animals. We herein present a case of epidural abscess caused by V. parvula in a 68-year-old man with sinus squamous cell carcinoma who presented with a 3-week history of low back pain. Blood and pus cultures were positive for Veillonella spp. After sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA, the pathogen was identified as V. parvula. Surgical debridement was performed following which the patient received intravenous administration of amoxicillin/clavulanate. To our knowledge, there are only seven reported cases of spinal infection caused by Veillonella spp. and these are reviewed here.

Keywords: Veillonella parvula; bacteremia; epidural abscess.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amoxicillin / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
  • Clavulanic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Epidural Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Epidural Abscess / drug therapy*
  • Epidural Abscess / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Veillonella / genetics
  • Veillonella / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Clavulanic Acid
  • Amoxicillin