A case series of patients with Gemella endocarditis.

Gemella are gram-positive bacteria that rarely cause infective endocarditis (IE). This article summarizes the characteristics of a series of patients with Gemella IE. We identified cases of Gemella IE in patients aged >18 years old hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic between July 1, 2007, and January 1, 2018, within the institutional review board-approved Cleveland Clinic IE Registry. Clinical features were obtained by manual chart review. Thirteen cases of Gemella IE were identified and accounted for <1% of all cases of IE in the registry. Eight were native and 5 were prosthetic valve IE. All were left-sided. Sixty-nine percent had positive blood cultures for Gemella, but 31% were identified solely based on 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of explanted valves with sequence identification. None had positive valve cultures. All were treated surgically and survived to hospital discharge. Gemella is a rare cause of IE, albeit likely underrecognized without utilization of valve PCR.

Benefits of a Pre-Treatment Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in a Rare Case of Gemella Haemolysans Endocarditis in an 86-Year-Old Patient and a Review of the Literature.

Infective endocarditis is a serious condition, which is associated with high mortality in elderly patients. Gemella haemolysans (GH) is a microorganism from the Streptococcus family, rarely involved in infective endocarditis. Here, we present a case of Gemella haemolysans endocarditis in an 86-year-old patient, successfully treated by antibiotics and surgery following a pre-treatment comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). This case is discussed in the context of a review of all published cases of Gemella haemolysans endocarditis. We illustrate the benefit of a systematic pre-treatment comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly patients with infective endocarditis.

First Case of Cutaneous Orbital Abscess Caused by Gemella: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

This is the first report of an orbital abscess caused by Gemella bergeri, uncommonly identified in cardiac valvular infections. Through matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), microbial identification and speciation resulted in timely identification and appropriate management. Successful management includes accurate microbial identification, incision and drainage, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Thrombophlebitis of superior mesenteric vein with bacteremia of Gemella sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.

Pylephlebitis is a condition with thrombophlebitis of the portal mesenteric venous system. Herein, we report a patient suggesting odontogenic bacteremia as a risk factor of pylephlebitis. He was diagnosed as superior mesenteric vein thrombophlebitis, and blood cultures grew Gemella sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.

Gemella sanguinis endocarditis: first case report in Taiwan and review of the literature.

We describe a case of infective endocarditis of the native aortic valve due to Gemella sanguinis in a 67-year-old Taiwanese man who had pre-existent valvular heart disease. He was successfully treated with aortic valve replacement accompanying a 6-week intravenous antibiotic treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of G sanguinis endocarditis in Taiwan.