Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Probable zoonotic aortitis due to group C streptococcal infection.
- Journal:
- Journal of vascular surgery
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Gonzales, Andres J et al.
- Affiliation:
- the University of Arizona Health Science Center and the Southern Arizona Veteran Affairs Health Care System · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case discusses a rare infection in humans caused by group C streptococcus, which is a type of bacteria. The patient, a 61-year-old man, developed an infection in the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart, likely because he was caring for a horse with a serious leg wound. He was treated successfully with antibiotics and surgery to replace the affected part of the aorta with a prosthetic graft, which is an artificial device. Almost two years later, he is doing well and has not had any further issues. This shows that while aortic infections from this bacteria are uncommon, they can be effectively treated with the right medical care.
Abstract
Human infections due to group C streptococcus (SGC) are unusual. Among them, vascular compromise, especially aortic involvement, is extremely rare. A case of microbial aortitis with aneurysm formation, likely secondary to a SGC soft tissue infection, in a 61-year-old patient who was caring for a purulent leg wound of his horse, is presented. He was successfully treated with antibiotics and in situ aortic replacement with a prosthetic graft and an omental wrap. He remains well almost 2 years after surgical intervention. Aortic infection caused by SGC is a rare condition that can be successfully treated with in situ prosthetic graft replacement.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17980289/