Korean J Clin Microbiol.  2009 Sep;12(3):133-137. 10.5145/KJCM.2009.12.3.133.

A Case of Bacteremia Caused by Rothia dentocariosa

• Park SD
• Uh Y
• Lee HG
• Jang IH
• Yoon KJ
• Namgoong M

• KMID: 1828584
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2009.12.3.133

Abstract

Rothia dentocariosa, a pleomorphic gram-positive branching bacillus, is a common inhabitant of the nose and throat. It is a well-known causative agent of dental plaques and periodontal diseases. Although generally regarded as having a low virulence to humans, R. dentocariosa has been recognized as causative agents of infective endocarditis and bacteremia with increasing frequency. Consequently, it can be a very serious pathogen when isolated from usually sterile sites such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid. We report a case of Rothia dentocariosa bacteremia without endocarditis in a 17-month-old male patient with fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Keyword

Bacteremia; Rothia dentocariosa; Blood culture

MeSH Terms

Bacillus
Bacteremia
Endocarditis
Fever
Humans
Infant
Male
Nose
Periodontal Diseases
Pharynx
Vomiting

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Gram stain morphologies of Rothia dentocariosa showing pleomorphic gram-positive branching bacilli.

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  Fig. 2. Rothia dentocariosa colonies grown for 24 hours on blood agar plate. Note white, smooth colonies with a diameter of approximately 1 mm.

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