Rothia mucilaginosa pneumonia: a literature review

Abstract Background: Rothia mucilaginosa, a gram-positive coccus member of the family Micrococcaceae, is considered part of the normal microflora of the human mouth and the upper respiratory tract. Although this organism is believed to be of low virulence, it is increasingly recognized as an opportu...

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Published in:Infectious diseases (London, England) England), 2015-03, Vol.47 (3), p.125-129
Main Authors: Maraki, Sofia, Papadakis, Ioannis S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
beta-Lactams - therapeutic use
COPD
Hematologic Neoplasms - complications
Humans
Immunocompetence
immunocompetent patient
Immunocompromised Host
Lung - microbiology
Male
Micrococcaceae - pathogenicity
Middle Aged
pneumonia
Pneumonia, Bacterial - diagnostic imaging
Pneumonia, Bacterial - drug therapy
Pneumonia, Bacterial - microbiology
Pneumonia, Bacterial - mortality
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - complications
Radiography
Rothia mucilaginosa
Vancomycin - therapeutic use
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Summary:Abstract Background: Rothia mucilaginosa, a gram-positive coccus member of the family Micrococcaceae, is considered part of the normal microflora of the human mouth and the upper respiratory tract. Although this organism is believed to be of low virulence, it is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen mostly affecting immunocompromised hosts. Methods: The medical literature was reviewed and we found 19 published cases of R. mucilaginosa pneumonia. We also report on a case of pneumonia attributed to this microorganism in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results: From January 1970 to August 2014, a total of 20 patients with R. mucilaginosa pneumonia were studied. Patients with haematologic malignancies (7/20), profoundly neutropenic with central line catheters (7/20) are at higher risk of developing the infection, while immunocompetent hosts with impaired pulmonary defences are less frequently affected (4/20). Beta-lactams or vancomycin alone or in combination with other antibiotics have been successfully used for the treatment of R. mucilaginosa pneumonia. The outcome was favourable in 18 cases. Only one fatality was attributed to the infection. Conclusion: R. mucilaginosa should be considered in the diagnosis of pneumonia in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. Early diagnosis and timely administration of appropriate antibiotic treatment are necessary for cure.
ISSN:2374-4235
2374-4243
DOI:10.3109/00365548.2014.980843