Group F streptococcal bacteremia complicating a Bartholin's abscess.
BACKGROUND
Group F streptococci are gram-positive cocci typically isolated from wound infections and abscesses. Bacteremia with group F streptococcus is uncommon, and the lower gynecologic tract has not been reported as a source. We report a case of a Bartholin's abscess leading to group F streptococcal bacteremia.


METHODS
A 31-year-old female noted fever and rigors 30 min after manipulation of a 3-day-old vulvar abscess. An empty Bartholin's gland abscess was found on examination, and blood cultures grew beta-hemolytic group F streptococci. The patient was treated with ampicillin/sulbactam, symptoms improved, and follow-up blood cultures revealed no growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Group F streptococci are known to inhabit various body sites and have a predilection for forming abscesses; however, bacteremia is infrequent. They have occasionally been identified in true infections of the genitourinary tract but only very rarely in Bartholin's abscesses. This case of group F streptococcal bacteremia following self-drainage of a Bartholin's abscess constitutes the first such description in the medical literature.
DeAngelo
A J
AJ
Department of Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6200, USA. adeangelo@pol.net
Dooley
D P
DP
Skidmore
P J
PJ
Kopecky
C T
CT
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D001472:Bartholin's Glands / Q000382:microbiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000627:therapeutic use
C035444:sultamicillin; D000667:Ampicillin; D013407:Sulbactam