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Abstract
An elderly male with an extensive medical history was admitted for sepsis of unspecified origin; the source was later found to be an Aerococcus urinae urinary tract infection. Urinalysis and conventional urine culture were used in diagnosing this infection, and it was successfully treated with a 7-day course of intravenous ceftriaxone. The patient had no recurrence of urinary symptoms or development of complications at his follow-up. While A. urinae has traditionally been described as an uncommon and relatively avirulent source of urinary tract infections, increasing reports of positive isolation suggest its incidence may be higher than previously believed. Cases have been more frequently reported among elderly males with multimorbidity and repeat hospitalisation. A lower threshold of suspicion for A. urinae urinary tract infections in this population may better guide empiric therapy and help avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
- infections
- urinary and genital tract disorders
- infectious diseases
- urinary tract infections
- urology
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Footnotes
Contributors Both authors were involved in the diagnosis and management of the patient. LL was the lead clinician for the case and was involved in overseeing data collection and manuscript revision/review. MZ completed the critical literature review, manuscript drafting, manuscript revision/review, final editing and submission processes.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.