Skip to main content

Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteremia complicated with intracranial Porphyromonas gingivalis and HSV-1 infection: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Background

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) belongs to the genus Fusobacterium, which is a gram-negative obligate anaerobic bacterium. Bacteremia associated with F. nucleatum is a serious complication, which is not common in clinic, especially when it is combined with other intracranial pathogenic microorganism infection. We reported for the first time a case of F. nucleatum bacteremia combined with intracranial Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) infection.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a headache for a week that worsened for 2 days. Combined with history, physical signs and examination, it was characterized as ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD). F. nucleatum was detected in blood by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Meanwhile, P. gingivalis and HSV-1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were identified by metagenome next generation sequencing (mNGS). After a quick diagnosis and a combination of antibiotics and antiviral treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of intracranial P. gingivalis and HSV-1 infection combined with F. nucleatum bacteremia.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is a gram-negative non-sporium obligate anaerobic bacterium, which can cause severe microbial infections in a variety of organs, often accompanied by serious sequelae. It is most commonly found in the mouth, and can also be distributed in the head and neck, lung and pleura, gastrointestinal organs and female reproductive tract [1]. Although F. nucleatum can cause serious infection, it is uncommon in clinical practice, accounting for less than 1% of the total number of anaerobic bacteria [2]. This may be due to the limited sensitivity and specificity of traditional culture-based pathogen diagnosis methods, which may underestimate the prevalence of infections caused by anaerobic bacteria until new laboratory testing techniques are available [3]. We report a rare case of F. nucleatum bacteremia combined with intracranial P. gingivalis and HSV-1 infection.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with a one-week headache that worsened for two days. She had a past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and no other abnormalities were found during physical examination. Brain CT showed bilateral ischemic foci in the basal ganglia region. After admission, the patient was given clopidogrel bisulfate tablets for antiplatelet aggregation, atorvastatin calcium tablets for lipid regulation and plaque stabilization, butylphthalide sodium chloride injection to improve cerebral metabolism, kerlikon to promote the establishment of collateral circulation, neurontopin for neurological nourishment, pantoprazole for prevention of stress ulcers, and monitoring of blood pressure and blood glucose, as well as symptomatic and supportive treatment.

The patient had a sudden onset of chills and high fever with a temperature of 39.8 °C after 3 days. Laboratory studies were as follows: white blood cell count 6.55 × 109 /L with 81.7% neutrophils, red blood cell count 3.94 × 1012/L, hemoglobin 126 g/L, platelet count 207 × 109 /L, Procalcitonin > 2ng/mL, C-reactive protein 394 µg/mL, CSF red blood cell count 20/µL, CSF white blood cell count 150/µL (neutrophils, 70%; lymphocytes, 30%), CSF glucose at 5.93mmol/L, chloride 120.6mmol/L, and protein at 54.51 mg/dL. CSF cryptococcus, acid-fast staining, and gram staining were all negative. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple ischemic lesions in the bilateral basal ganglia, bilateral central half oval area, bilateral frontoparietal area, and left temporal occipital junction area. Ceftriaxone and ganciclovir were given empirically for anti-infective treatment. After 4 days of empirical anti-infective treatment with ceftriaxone and ganciclovir, the patient still had a low-grade fever. To further clarify the infection, blood was drawn for culture and lumbar puncture was performed for CSF metagenome next generation sequencing (mNGS). Nucleic acid extraction was performed using the Universal DNA/RNA Extraction Kit and quality monitoring was performed using Qubit 4.0. Library construction was performed using the KS619-DNAmN48 Pathogenic Microorganisms Metagenomic DNA Detection Kit (Reversible End-Termination Sequencing Method). The monitored libraries were up-sequenced using an Illumina NextSeq550 sequencer and compared with the macro system for database comparison.

Based on the sequencing results, P. gingivalis and HSV-1 were detected, and F. nucleatum was detected in blood by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) (Fig. 1). The anti-infective regimen was adjusted to ceftriaxone (2.0 iv Q12H) in combination with metronidazole (0.5 iv Q8H) and antiviral therapy with acyclovir (10 mg/kg iv Q8H), and the patient was free of significant headache and fever after 5 days. Re-examination of CSF and blood culture were negative, and a one-month telephone follow-up after discharge revealed no significant discomfort.

Fig. 1
figure 1

A: Growth of F. nucleatum on blood agar plates after 24 h of incubation. B: Gram-staining of F. nucleatum

Discussion and conclusions

F. nucleatum is an adherent anaerobic oral commensal involved in plaque formation and is associated with oral infectious diseases, gastrointestinal diseases (colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and appendicitis), and a variety of other infections and abscesses [4]. Although we found 9 cases of adult F. nucleatum bloodstream infection on PubMed (Table 1). To our knowledge, this is the first case of F. nucleatum bacteremia combined with intracranial P. gingivalis and HSV-1 infection.

Table 1 Summary of 9 case reports identified F.nucleatum bloodstream infection

The large number of adhesins on the surface of F. nucleatum recognizes various complementary structures on the surfaces of bacteria and host cells, which are important for colonization and establishment of infection in susceptible hosts [5].The most characteristic adhesin is RadD, which is an autonomous transporter protein of about 350 kDa in size that adheres to early-stage colonizing bacteria, late-stage pathogenic bacteria, and immune cells in the oral cavity. In addition, RadD mediates the binding of Clostridium nucleatum to other bacteria or fungi, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. F. nucleatum naturally increases the pH of its local environment by consuming amino acids and releasing ammonia, which allows the growth of acid-sensitive bacteria such as P. gingivalis. At the same time, the mucopolysaccharide layer of the bacterial cell wall can induce abscess formation.

F. nucleatum elicits a variety of host responses. F. nucleatum is a potent stimulator of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) [6]. Binding of F. nucleatum to NK cells activates the inflammatory response associated with periodontal disease. In colorectal cancer cells, F. nucleatum not only activates the inflammatory response, but also activates oncogene and Wnt gene expression, all of which are hallmarks of tumorigenesis [7]. HSV-1 was found to be positively correlated with F. nucleatum in the site of peri implant inflammation. Our case shows that F. nucleatum bacteremia combined with intracranial HSV-1 infection [8]. The first line of central nervous system immune defense against HSV-1 comes from the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. Response of TLR2 or TLR9 to neuroglial cells leads to the production of type I interferon (IFN), IL-15, TNF, and chemokine CCL2, recruitment of macrophages. Whether there is a potential relationship of immune response between F. nucleatum and HSV-1 needs to be further investigated [9].

Lemierre syndrome is a rare upper airway infection with life-threatening secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein or external jugular vein, usually seen in previously healthy young adults, characterized by bacteremia, thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, and metastatic septic embolus secondary to acute pharyngeal infection. The most common pathogen is F. necrophorum, followed by F. nucleatum and anaerobes such as streptococcus, staphylococcus and klebsiella pneumoniae. The pathogenic foci originate primarily from pharyngitis or tonsillitis [10].

For infections caused by F. nucleatum, treatment generally includes anti-infective therapy, abscess drainage and surgical debridement. Fusobacterium is sensitive to many commonly used clinical antibiotics, but the sensitivity rate tends to decrease, or may be resistant to vancomycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and so on. Some strains can produce β-lactamase, and drugs that incorporate β-lactamase inhibitors (e.g., clavulanic acid) may be used for treatment. Drugs suitable for empirical treatment are metronidazole, clindamycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and other effective antimicrobials include carbapenems and chloramphenicol. However, it should be noted that most of these infections are mixed flora infections, including microaerobic and aerobic streptococci, and combinations of drugs need to be considered to cover all pathogens. In-hospital bacteremia is an important predictor of mortality, independent of other parameters of disease severity. F. nucleatum bacteremia is associated with invasive and lethal infections, especially pneumonia and abdominal infections, and early recognition of such serious infections with appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement or drainage is important. Also, by investigating the epidemiologic background of F. nucleatum infections, we can effectively reveal the high-risk groups for various related diseases and facilitate early detection and prevention in the population.

In conclusion, we found that prompt recognition of F. nucleatum infection and the presence or absence of co-infection with other microorganisms is important for the treatment and prognosis of the patient.

Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

F. nucleatum :

Fusobacterium nucleatum

P. gingivalis :

Porphyromonas gingivalis

HSV-1 :

Herpes simplex virus type 1

ICVD:

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease

MALDI-TOF-MS:

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offight mass spectrometry

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

mNGS:

Metagenome next generation sequencing

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

References

  1. Dyrhovden R, Nygaard RM, Patel R, Ulvestad E, Kommedal Ø. The bacterial aetiology of pleural empyema. A descriptive and comparative metagenomic study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019;25(8):981–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Jayasimhan D, Wu L, Huggan P. Fusobacterial liver abscess: a case report and review of the literature. BMC Infect Dis. 2017;17(1):440.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Srour N, Demand A, Zhang Y, Musick W, Lista A, Lin J. Ruptured intraventricular brain abscesses due to Fusobacterium nucleatum with obstructive hydrocephalus: illustrative case. J Neurosurg Case Lessons. 2023;5(3).

  4. Brennan CA, Garrett WS. Fusobacterium nucleatum - Symbiont, opportunist and oncobacterium. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2019;17(3):156–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Han YW. Fusobacterium nucleatum: a commensal-turned pathogen. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2015;23:141–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Han YW, Wang X. Mobile microbiome: oral bacteria in extra-oral infections and inflammation. J Dent Res. 2013;92(6):485–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Bi D, Zhu Y, Gao Y, Li H, Zhu X, Wei R, et al. Profiling Fusobacterium infection at high taxonomic resolution reveals lineage-specific correlations in colorectal cancer. Nat Commun. 2022;13(1):3336.

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Parthiban S, Ahmed N, Ramakrishnan T, Balakumar V, Raja M, Shekhar H. Herpes Simplex 1 and Periopathogen Role in Peri-implantitis. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18(5):399–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McGavern DB, Kang SS. Illuminating viral infections in the nervous system. Nat Rev Immunol. 2011;11(5):318–29.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Lee WS, Jean SS, Chen FL, Hsieh SM, Hsueh PR. Lemierre’s syndrome: a forgotten and re-emerging infection. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2020;53(4):513–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kajiya T, Uemura T, Kajiya M, Kaname H, Hirano R, Uemura N, et al. Pyogenic liver abscess related to Dental Disease in an immunocompetent host. Intern Med. 2008;47(7):675–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cheung WY, Bellas J. Fusobacterium: elusive cause of life-threatening septic thromboembolism. Can Fam Physician. 2007;53(9):1451–3.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Etienne M, Gueit I, Abboud P, Pons JL, Jacquot S, Caron F. Fusobacterium nucleatum hepatic abscess with pylephlebitis associated with idiopathic CD4(+) T lymphocytopenia. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;32(2):326–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Neeraja S, Francisco A. Cryptogenic Pyogenic Liver Abscess due to Fusobacterium nucleatum in an Immunocompetent patient. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2020(LATEST ONLINE).

  15. Takano Y, Fukuda K, Takayasu H, Shinmura K, Koizumi G, Sasai M et al. Liver abscessation and multiple septic pulmonary emboli associated with Lemierre’s syndrome: a case report. BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1).

  16. Fatakhov E, Patel MK, Santha S, Koch CF. Fusobacterium necrophorum: a rare cause of hepatic abscess in an immunocompetent individual. Case Rep. 2013;2013(aug20 1):bcr2013200748–bcr.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Iwasaki T, Yamamoto T, Inoue K-i. Takaku K-i. A case of Lemierre’s Syndrome in Association with Liver Abscess without any other metastatic lesions. Intern Med. 2012;51(11):1419–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Handler MZ, Miriovsky B, Gendelman HE, Sandkovsky U. Fusobacterium necrophorum causing infective endocarditis and liver and splenic abscesses. Volume 53. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo; 2011. pp. 169–72. 3.

  19. Treszezamsky AD, Molina Boero MF, Mehta I. Cervical conization complicated by sepsis with lung and liver abscesses. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2010;14(2):130–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the patient and his family.

Funding

This work was supported by the Tianjin Applied Basic Research Project (No. 22JCQNJC01590) and the Tianjin Key Medical Discipline (Specialty) Construction Project (No. TJYXZDXK-047 A).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

S.W. Y.T. and Y.W. participated in the study design and writing of the manuscript. Z.Y. and J.Z. participated in clinical data collection and analysis. J.Z. and S.L. revised the paper critically for intellectual content. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jinjuan Zhang or Jiandong Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Third Central Hospital.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, S., Tian, Y., Wu, Y. et al. Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteremia complicated with intracranial Porphyromonas gingivalis and HSV-1 infection: a case report and literature review. BMC Infect Dis 24, 225 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09078-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09078-6

Keywords