Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified a brain abscess caused by mixed oral anaerobe infection: A case report

Abstract

Fusobacterium vincentii brain abscesses are relatively rare. Here, we report our treatment of an anaerobic brain abscess caused by a mixed infection of Parvimonas micra, Streptococcus constellatus, Fusobacterium vincentii, and Bacteroides heparinolyticus diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). This is the first reported case of Fusobacterium vincentii in a brain abscess. This case highlights the possibility that oral anaerobic microbes can cause a brain abscess and demonstrates that mNGS has the potential to be deployed to provide rapid infection diagnosis and rationalize antimicrobial therapy for brain abscesses.

Keywords

• Anaerobic brain abscess
• Parvimonas micra
• Streptococcus constellatus
• Fusobacterium vincentii
• Bacteroides heparinolyticus
• mNGS