Bacteroides fragilis-Associated Intra-Abdominal Abscess Following Penetrating Trauma

Oves  Siddiqui; Ashish  William; Nilakshi  Gupta; Swati  Nirmal; Sonal  Saxena; Prabhav  Aggarwal

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i2.18660

Oves Siddiqui Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Ashish William Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Nilakshi Gupta Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Swati Nirmal Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Sonal Saxena Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Prabhav Aggarwal Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College & Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i2.18660

Keywords: Anaerobe, Bacteroides fragilis, Intra-abdominal abscess, MALDI-TOF MS, Real Time PCR.

Abstract

Background: Bacteroides fragilis is a clinically significant anaerobic bacterium known to causeabdominal infections, abscesses, sepsis, and skin and soft tissue infections. We report a case of an intra-abdominal wound infection following a penetrating injury, attributed to B. fragilis.

Methods: Foul-smelling pus from the abdominal wound was collected and sent for anaerobic cultureusing Robertson’s cooked meat medium. Gram staining and culture were performed on blood agarsupplemented with haemin and vitamin K1. The sample's gram stain revealed gram-negative bacilli.

Results: Colony growth was observed on blood agar after 48 hours and was identified as B. fragilisthrough phenotypic biochemical tests, MALDI-TOF MS, and real-time PCR. The patient wassuccessfully managed with metronidazole.

Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis and early treatment were crucial in reducing the morbidity and mortalityassociated with this infection.