An unusual case of fulminant generalized peritonitis secondary to purulent salpingitis caused by Prevotella bivia - case report with literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Prevotella bacilli are prevalent in the body as members of the normal flora and in some cases they can be involved in infections throughout the body. Prevotella bivia is a member of a nonpigment group found in the resident flora of the female genital tract and it is occasionally seen in the oral cavity.

CASE REPORT: We describe the very rare case of a 39-year-old woman with fulminant generalized peritonitis secondary to purulent salpingitis caused by Prevotella bivia.

DISCUSSION: In most cases described in the literature, Prevotella bivia was mixed with aerobes and caused bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, whereas in our case study Prevotella bivia was the only microbe that was isolated. The infection was fulminant and caused generalized peritonitis. Rapid and systemic infections typically occur in immunocompromised hosts, however our patient was in good health condition and immunocompetent.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevotella bivia may cause rapid and systemic infections, even in immunocompetent hosts. Multidisciplinary team management is mandatory in order to estimate the optimal treatment regimen.