Journal of Medical Case Reports (Feb 2010)

Liver and brain abscess caused by <it>Aggregatibacter paraphrophilus </it>in association with a large patent foramen ovale: a case report

  • Carmichael Andrew,
  • Harris Kathryn,
  • Roberts Phil,
  • Dickinson Richard J,
  • Gajendragadkar Parag R,
  • Ariyaratnam Shaumya,
  • Karas Johannis A

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-4-69
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
p. 69

Abstract

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Abstract Introduction Aggregatibacter paraphrophilus (former name Haemophilus paraphrophilus) is a normal commensal of the oral flora. It is a rare cause of hepatobiliary or intracerebral abscesses. Case presentation We report a case of a 53-year-old Caucasian man with a liver abscess and subsequent brain abscesses caused by Aggregatibacter paraphrophilus. The probable source of the infection was the oral flora of our patient following ingestion of a dental filling. The presence of a large patent foramen ovale was a predisposing factor for multifocal abscesses. Conclusion In this case report, we describe an unusual case of a patient with both liver and brain abscesses caused by an oral commensal Aggregatibacter paraphrophilus that can occasionally show significant pathogenic potential.