A Streptococcus suis infection causing pneumonia in Indonesia: A case report

Abstract

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, endocarditis, and meningitis. S. suis is primarily found in the upper respiratory tract of pigs. To our knowledge, the first case of S. suis infection has resulted in pneumonia in Indonesia. A 40-year-old woman suffered from shortness of breath last month. The complaint worsened one week ago. She also complained of a productive cough with thick white phlegm. She has a history of late-stage cervical cancer. The patient's vital signs were normal, except for tachypnea. Vesicular breath sounds, no wheezing, and coarse lung crackles were discovered during a physical examination. A chest x-ray showed patchy airspace opacities and interstitial thickening throughout both lungs. The following results were obtained from routine laboratory leukocytosis. Gram stain of the sputum showed a few Gram-positive cocci, mostly in pairs. We confirmed this finding by performing the blood agar, and chocolate agar revealed small α-hemolytic and catalase-negative colonies. The strain was positive for penicillin and ceftriaxone in antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A combination of penicillin and ceftriaxone intravenous was utilized for definitive treatment. After completing a 14-day course of oral antibiotic medication, the patient was discharged. Her symptoms had subsided. This case should remind physicians about the possibility of cancer associated with S. suis infected patient and no clear history of exposure to pigs or other animals.

Keywords

• Streptococcus suis
• Pneumonia
• Infection case
• Cancer
• Zoonosis