Preterm infant with necrotizing enterocolitis and arteritis secondary to streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Stewart, J.A.^{a; *} | Culverhouse, E.^a | Harrell, Mathew^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatrics, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA | [b] Department of Neonatology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: James Alexander Stewart, MD, Department of Pediatrics Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96859, USA. Tel.:+1 502 291 2402; E-mail: james.a.stewart409.mil@health.mil.

Abstract:  Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus is a subtype of Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) that has become increasingly recognized as a sepsis-causing pathogen in neonates. It is well documented that S. bovis species have a predilection to both cardiac and gastrointestinal tissue, and in adult populations, isolating these organisms in the bloodstream often triggers further evaluation for co-morbid complications such as colon cancer or endocarditis. However, no such guidance currently exists in neonatal literature. We present a case of a preterm infant with S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus bacteremia presenting as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) not previously described in the literature. Furthermore, through a complete diagnostic evaluation, including an echocardiogram, our patient was found to have the rare complication of endocarditis.

Keywords: Arteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal sepsis, premature infant, streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies\\ pasteurianus

DOI: 10.3233/NPM-230089

Journal: Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 265-268, 2024