Pyogenic Liver Abscess and Sepsis Caused by Streptococcus constellatus in the Immunocompetent Host

Streptococcus constellatus is a member of Streptococcus milleri group which is a subgroup of Viridans streptococci, first described by Guthof in 1956 after being isolated from dental abscesses. S. constellatus, a gram positive, non-sporing, non-motile, catalase negative cocci, is the normal flora of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal and urogenital tract. It is not a commonly encountered pathogen but has a propensity to form abscesses and cause bacteremia in the immunocompromised patient. Here, we report a 78-year-old man with sepsis due to Streptococcus constellatus liver abscess. The patient had a history of hypertension, stroke, benign prostatic hyperplasia, vascular dementia and myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass grafting. There has been no particular link between any of these conditions to S. constellatus. However, immunocompromised status predisposes to fulminant infection and formation of abscesses. The patient was febrile with a temperature of 99.1°F, blood pressure of 143/73 mmHg and the heart rate (HR) of 98. Labs revealed a leukocytosis of 16.90 K/uL, hemoglobin 11.8 g/dL, hematocrit 35.8%, total bilirubin 1.7 mg/dL, direct bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 44 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 28 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) 176 IU/L and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 290 IU/L. He was started on intravenous Maxipime and Unasyn which was switched to Rocephin and Clindamycin based on the Infectious disease recommendations. Metronidazole was also started and the serologies were sent for Entamoeba histolytica. Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed an abscess in the right lobe of the liver which was finally drained using an interventional radiology (IR)-guided approach. The cultures from the fluid and blood yielded S. constellatus and thus Metronidazole was discontinued. The patient improved after a few days and the drainage catheter was pulled out and the patient discharged in stable condition.

Keywords: cultures; drainage; liver abscess; pigtail catheter; pyogenic; sepsis; streptococcus constellatus.