[Infection due to Rothia mucilaginosa. A respiratory pathogen?].

INTRODUCTION

To describe the spectrum of infections caused by Rothia mucilaginosa.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 20 cases diagnosed with R. mucilaginosa from 2009 to 2012.

RESULTS

Pulmonary infection was the most frequent clinical presentation (n=14, 70%): bronchiectasis infected (10), followed by pleural empyema (2), pneumonia (1) and acute bronchitis (1). Two episodes were of gastrointestinal origin: cholangitis secondary to biliary drainage and secondary peritonitis. Two episodes included bacteremia in patients with hematological malignancy. One patient had a surgical wound infection with bacteremia, and another had a bacteremic urinary tract infection in a patient with nephrostomy.

DISCUSSION: R. mucilaginosa may be responsible for infections of the lower respiratory tract in predisposed patients.