The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology (Apr 2019)

Concomitant Liver and Brain Abscesses Caused by Parvimonas Micra

  • Eun Young Kim,
  • Yang Hyun Baek,
  • Dong Sik Jung,
  • Kwang Sook Woo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2019.73.4.230
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 73, no. 4
pp. 230 – 234

Abstract

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Anaerobic infections have been reported to be responsible for 3-10% of pyogenic liver abscesses in Korea, and reported anaerobes include Fusobacterium, Bacillus fragilis, and Bacteroides melaninogenicus. Parvimonas micra is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterial species and a constituent of normal flora on skin, vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and oral cavity that can cause opportunistic infections. However, it has only rarely been reported to be a cause of liver abscess; only one such case has been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of concomitant liver and brain abscesses caused by Parvimonas micra in a non-immunodeficient 65-year-old female patient without diabetes or periodontal disease. Parvimonas micra infection was confirmed by blood culture using VITEK? 2 cards and by bacterial 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We conclude that we should not overlook anaerobes as a cause of liver abscess.

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