Polymicrobial arcanobacterium haemolyticum intracerebral abscess: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: This article describes a case of polymicrobial Arcanobacterium haemolyticum pharyngitis and sinusitis complicated by intracranial complications and reviews similar cases in the literature Case summary: A 21-year-old immunocompetent male presented with symptoms of sore throat, rhinorrhoea, lethargy, headache, and rash. Imaging demonstrated sinusitis, pre-septal sinusitis, peritonsillar abscess formation, subdural empyema and cerebritis. He was managed with endoscopic sinus surgery, craniotomy for evacuation of subdural empyema and antibiotics. Microbiological samples demonstrated growth of A. haemolyticum, strep. anginosus, and fusobacterium necrophorum. He subsequently developed a cerebral abscess requiring stereotactic needle drainage. After a prolonged course of antibiotics, the patient was discharge and made a good recovery. Discussion: A. haemolyticum is an uncommon cause of non-streptococcal pharyngitis that may occur alongside other microorganisms and is rarely associated with severe intracranial complications. This organism and its antibiotic susceptibility patterns should be considered in complicated upper respiratory tract infections in immunocompetent hosts. Penicillins and macrolide antibiotics form the mainstay of therapy for A. haemolyticum.

Keywords

• Arcanobacterium haemolyticum
• Cerebral abscess
• Systemic infection
• Complicated bacteraemia
• Sinusitis
• Peritonsillar abscess