A Streptococcus suis infection causing pneumonia in Indonesia: A case report

Abstract

<i>Streptococcus suis</i> (<i>S. suis</i>) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, endocarditis, and meningitis. <i>S. suis</i> is primarily found in the upper respiratory tract of pigs. To our knowledge, the first case of <i>S. suis</i> infection has resulted in pneumonia in Indonesia. A 40-year-old woman suffered from shortness of breath last month. The complaint worsened one week ago. She also complained of a productive cough with thick white phlegm. She has a history of late-stage cervical cancer. The patient's vital signs were normal, except for tachypnea. Vesicular breath sounds, no wheezing, and coarse lung crackles were discovered during a physical examination. A chest x-ray showed patchy airspace opacities and interstitial thickening throughout both lungs. The following results were obtained from routine laboratory leukocytosis. Gram stain of the sputum showed a few Gram-positive cocci, mostly in pairs. We confirmed this finding by performing the blood agar, and chocolate agar revealed small α-hemolytic and catalase-negative colonies. The strain was positive for penicillin and ceftriaxone in antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A combination of penicillin and ceftriaxone intravenous was utilized for definitive treatment. After completing a 14-day course of oral antibiotic medication, the patient was discharged. Her symptoms had subsided. This case should remind physicians about the possibility of cancer associated with <i>S. suis</i> infected patient and no clear history of exposure to pigs or other animals.

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