Uncommon isolation of Desulfovibrio vulgaris from a depressed fracture wound on the forehead

Anaerobe. 2020 Oct:65:102264. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102264. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

Abstract

Desulfovibrio spp. are gram negative, obligate anaerobes capable of reducing sulfate. They have caused infections in humans, but very rarely. They are slow growers and difficult to identify. Hence, they are often overlooked and their actual presence goes unnoticed. Here, we describe a case of a 15- year old boy who was involved in a road traffic accident and he presented with seropurulent discharge from a depressed fracture wound on the forehead. Desulfovibrio vulgaris (D.vulgaris), was isolated from the pus discharge, the first to be reported. The characteristic desulfoviridin pigment production in the organism aided in the identification. The infection was successfully managed with pain reliever and course of amoxicillin - clavulanic acid and linezolid.

Keywords: Desulfovibrio vulgaris; Desulfoviridin pigment; Slow grower; Sulfate reducing bacteria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / classification
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / drug effects
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / isolation & purification*
  • Desulfovibrionaceae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Desulfovibrionaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Desulfovibrionaceae Infections / microbiology*
  • Forehead / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Skull Fracture, Depressed / complications*
  • Wound Infection / diagnosis*
  • Wound Infection / drug therapy
  • Wound Infection / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents