Eggerthia catenaformis infection originating from a dental abscess causes severe intestinal complications and osteomyelitis of the jaw.

Abstract

Introduction: Odontogenic foci may result to generalized infections spreading the bacteria through contiguous anatomic cavities or hematogenous spread. The most reported secondary infections caused by oral pathogens are intracranial abscesses. Although, few reports in the literature describe the bacterial spread to extracranial locations. Case description: We describe the case of a 52-year-old male Caucasian patient who was admitted to our hospital suffering from severe sepsis caused by a submandibular abscess. Eggerthia catenaformis was detected in blood and abscess material (confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry). The patient subsequently developed a perihepatic abscess and colon perforation, and was stabilized after several surgical interventions. He remained hospitalized for 66 days receiving intravenous antibiotics. Five months later, jaw osteonecrosis with Actinomyces contamination was detected in the left mandible, which also had to be treated surgically. Three years after the last surgery, no signs of recurrence have been detected. Discussion: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should understand the characteristics of systemic infections, in which the potentially causal intraoral odontogenic foci often lack acute symptoms. If other origins of infection are not detected, elimination of the potentially causal odontogenic foci should be performed. However, the decision making criteria to eliminate suspected causal teeth is needed to be elucidated through more studies.