Emerging pathogens Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola from a Canadian tertiary care hospital.

Background

Aerococcus urinae and Aerococcus sanguinicola are emerging pathogens linked with urinary tract infections. We present a case series of A. urinae and A. sanguinicola isolates characterizing the spectrum of clinical presentation, microbiological characteristics and antimicrobial sensitivities.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who grew positive cultures for A. urinae and A. sanguinicola identified on MALDI-TOF in Saskatchewan from January to June 2023. Demographic and clinical variables, antimicrobial susceptibility and prescription were documented.

Results

This cohort (n = 115) had a median age 82 years. A. urinae and A. sanguinicola infections spanned from urinary tract infection (n = 96) to urosepsis (n = 6). These infections were predominantly monomicrobial (73.9%) and were susceptible to ceftriaxone, penicillin G and vancomycin. Antimicrobials were seldom prescribed within the urinary tract infection cohort (31.2%).

Conclusion

Untreated A. urinae and A. sanguinicola infections can precipitate into urosepsis. The reported antimicrobial susceptibility for these Aerococcus isolates should be utilized to provide appropriate antimicrobial coverage.