1861. The Spectrum and Clinical Significance of Actinomyces Blood Stream Infection


 
 
 Actinomyces species are Gram-positive anaerobic branching bacilli which are commensal of oropharynx, urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts that is associated with infrequent chronic granulomatous diseases including cervicofacial, intrabdominal and genital infections. Actinomyces Blood Stream Infections (BSIs) are usually rare but becoming more frequent with advanced modern diagnostic techniques. The presented study aims to evaluate the spectrum and clinical relevance of Actinomyces BSI at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar.
 
 
 
 A retrospective observational study was conducted for all reported Actinomyces species BSI at HMC between January 2016 to November 2020. Isolates were identified using modern automated BD PhoenixTM and MALDI-TOF microbiological methods.
 
 
 
 Over the five years study period, 37 episodes of Actinomyces BSIs were recorded the majority of which identified as Actinomyces odontolyticus (40.5 %, 15/37). The mean age was 32 years (range 1 month – 81 years), 62.2 % were females (23/37), 64.8 % had chronic medical conditions while 78.4 % developed fever as presenting illness. Out of the total cases, cultures were considered significant in only 48.6 % of cases (18/37), in which primary source of infection was oropharyngeal (10) followed by genitourinary (4), gastrointestinal (2) and 2 infected diabetic foot. However, 86.5 % (32/37) received antimicrobial therapy mainly as βlactam antibiotics or cephalosporins ranging between 3 days to 6 months.
 Antimicrobial therapy was given for a short duration in 87.5% (28/32) of cases for less than 14 days with no long-term complications while only four cases received prolonged therapy. The remaining Five patients did not receive any antibiotics as the cultures were considered contaminants by the primary provider.
 
 
 
 
 Actinomyces species blood stream infection is becoming more frequent with advanced diagnostic techniques affecting all age groups. Females and patients with chronic comorbidities are more commonly affected while A. odontolyticus is the predominant isolated species. Almost half of the cases were not clinically relevant, but most cases received short courses of antimicrobial therapy with no long-term complications.
 
 
 
 All Authors: No reported disclosures.
