A case report of Mycoplasma hominis brain abscess identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Abstract

We report the case of a 43-year-old man with a Mycoplasma hominis brain abscess occurring after a cranial trauma, which was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The presence of colonies on classic blood agar plates and the use of MALDI-TOF MS, a valuable diagnostic tool that identified M. hominis due to its presence in the VITEK MS database, allowed the rapid diagnosis of this infection.

Fatal nosocomial meningitis caused by Mycoplasma hominis in an adult patient: case report and review of the literature

“…To date, only 16 cases of central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by M. hominis have been described since 1950 (Table 1). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] A new case of meningitis caused by this bacterium in an adult, following a neurosurgical procedure, is reported here.…”

PostoperativeMycoplasma hominisbrain abscess: keep it in mind!

“…These infections are thought to be secondary to the haematogenous spread of M. hominis with transient bacteraemia following disruption of a colonised airway (post intubation) or genitourinary tract (urinary catheterisation, cystoscopy, gynaecological surgery or delivery) resulting in seeding of sites of existing central nervous system injury 1–16 18. It may also be secondary to direct inoculation at the time of trauma or contamination during surgery 2. In our case, we believe that the site of the AVM excision was seeded with M. hominis following removal of the urinary catheter postoperatively with subsequent abscess formation.…”

“…This has led to the recognition of M. pneumoniae , M. salivarium , M. fermantans and M. hominis as pathogens when isolated outside their commensal locations 1 3–4 10–14 16 21 22. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can also be used to identify M. hominis from culture,2 as long as the library includes the M. hominis spectrum.…”

“…There are a number of recent reports of postoperative Mycoplasma hominis infections involving the central nervous system,1–16 Transient bacteraemia following manipulation of a genitourinary tract colonised with M. hominis is suggested as the cause of infection,2 Empirical therapy for these cases generally includes agents such as β-lactams and vancomycin that act on the bacterial cell wall. However, M. hominis lacks a cell wall, so these antimicrobials are ineffective.…”

First Case of Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Caused by Mycoplasma hominis in a Pediatric Immunocompromised Patient

“…Thus, infections of M. hominis are usually associated with endocervicitis and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Although rare, M. hominis can also cause various extra-urogenital infections, such as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) [12], central nervous system (CNS) infection, mediastinitis, and disseminated infection [3456]. Because M. hominis lacks a cell wall and shows resistance to cell wall-acting antibiotics, including carbapenem and glycopeptides, it is important to accurately identify this bacterium and initiate appropriate treatment in the case of infection.…”