Maternal septicemia caused by Streptococcus mitis: a possible link between intra-amniotic infection and periodontitis. Case report and literature review

Abstract

Background Intra-amniotic infection has a strong causal association with spontaneous preterm birth and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). The most common route of intra-amniotic infection is the ascending pathway in which microorganisms from the vagina gain access to the amniotic cavity. Distant microorganisms such as those from the oral cavity have been reported in intra-amniotic infection through hematogenous spreading. Case presentation A 31-year-old gravida 1, para 0 Thai woman at 33+6 weeks’ gestation presented with leakage of vaginal fluid and irregular uterine contraction. She developed fever at 4 h after admission and was later diagnosed with acute chorioamnionitis. A Cesarean section was performed to terminate pregnancy. In addition to a blood culture, the cultures of amniotic fluid, vaginal and chorioamniotic membrane swabs were positive for Streptococcus mitis with identical susceptibility profiles. After the delivery and antibiotic prescription, oral examination showed dental caries and chronic periodontitis. Conclusions This is the first case report demonstrating maternal septicemia and intra-amniotic infection caused by S. mitis which might be attributed to periodontitis in women presenting with preterm PROM. We highlighted the association of periodontal disease and preterm labor/PROM syndrome. Oral cavity examination should be included in the prenatal care to ensure good dental hygiene.

The microbiome of an outpatient rehabilitation clinic and predictors of contamination: A pilot study

“…For example, the genus Bartonella was one of the top 5 microbes enriched in foot-contacted surfaces and 13 species of this genus are associated with zoonotic infections [ 23 ]. On the other hand, Streptococcus mitis was among the top 5 most enriched microbes on hand-contacted surfaces and this bacteria is associated with the oral cavity, dental caries and oral and skin ulcerations [ 24 ]. The significance of this is that each surface may support potentially different pathological taxa depending on surface type and how contacted.…”

“…Other studies also suggest that specific surfaces in a hospital room are key to the environmental microbiome and contribute to spread of infection [ 24 – 30 ]. A review by Weber et al examined factors associated with common pathogens in the hospital room environment [ 26 ].…”

“…They found that common pathogens in hospitals can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods depending on the type of microbe and the local conditions [ 26 ]. For example, Acinetobacter , which was present at a relatively high level on some REHAB clinic surfaces in our study (comprising 5.97% of the total), can survive for up to weeks on moist surfaces [ 24 ]. This microbe can develop drug resistance and has been shown to be responsible for outbreaks in hospital and intensive care units with high mortality [ 24 ].…”

“…For example, Acinetobacter , which was present at a relatively high level on some REHAB clinic surfaces in our study (comprising 5.97% of the total), can survive for up to weeks on moist surfaces [ 24 ]. This microbe can develop drug resistance and has been shown to be responsible for outbreaks in hospital and intensive care units with high mortality [ 24 ]. Two studies identified that both high and low touch surfaces contribute to the hospital room microbiome.…”

Cuidado preventivo y recuperativo en salud oral de mujeres embarazadas en el Perú

“…A diferencia de madres en edad adulta, que reconocen la importancia de la atención odontológica periódica durante el embarazo, debido a la vulnerabilidad de su salud (19), las embarazadas adolescentes (de 12 a 17 años) muestran una menor frecuencia de concurrencia a las atenciones preventivas y recuperativas. Estos hallazgos son contrastados con los de Ayala (20), quien encontró frecuencia de 1,0 % en procedimientos como exámenes odontológicos, instrucción de higiene oral y asesoría nutricional, 0,0 % en raspaje dental, 0,6 % en restauraciones y 0,0 % en exodoncias, todo ello en madres adolescentes (20).…”