Leuconostoc bacteremia in an infant with short-gut syndrome: case report and literature review.

Abstract

In this article, we report a case of Leuconostoc bacteremia in a 7-month-old infant who had short-gut syndrome after a gastroschisis repair and who was dependent on total parenteral nutrition through a central venous catheter. The organism was initially misidentified as viridans group streptococcus. Detection of vancomycin resistance led to the correct diagnosis of Leuconostoc species. The patient was successfully treated with ampicillin and an aminoglycoside. A review of the literature revealed prematurity, short-gut syndrome, prior vancomycin use, and central venous catheters as important predisposing factors. Leuconostoc species is an emerging pathogen that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vancomycin-resistant gram-positive bacteremia, particularly in these clinical settings.