Disabled individuals may be at risk for common and rare infections. We report on a 13-year-old female who had a diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU). The child received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube at five years of age for the supplementation of her specialized formula. After eight years, she no longer required the gastrostomy tube for formula supplementation, and she presented for the closure of the gastrocutaneous fistula tract. The histological examination revealed acute and chronic inflammation and colonization by gram-positive bacteria with a characteristic tetrad packet arrangement known as Clostridium ventriculi (formerly Sarcina ventriculi). A review of the literature evidenced the rarity of this infection in children. This patient is the 11th case of such infection in literature, and the first patient affected with PKU. Physically and mentally disabled children are particularly vulnerable to infection because of their different feeding abilities, toilet needs, and sanitary arrangements.
Keywords: Clostridium; Gastritis; Phenylketonuria; Sarcina; gastrocutaneous fistula.
© 2020 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.