The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection

Slackia exigua is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, nonspore-forming bacterium that is typically part of the normal oral microbiota. It is generally considered biochemically inert and is often dismissed as a nonpathogenic contaminant in clinical cultures, particularly in respiratory samples. However, in...

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Main Authors: Gang Zhou, Lisa Cornelius, Dhammika H. Navarathna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crdi/2079663
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author Gang Zhou
Lisa Cornelius
Dhammika H. Navarathna
author_facet Gang Zhou
Lisa Cornelius
Dhammika H. Navarathna
author_sort Gang Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Slackia exigua is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, nonspore-forming bacterium that is typically part of the normal oral microbiota. It is generally considered biochemically inert and is often dismissed as a nonpathogenic contaminant in clinical cultures, particularly in respiratory samples. However, in this case study, we report a rare instance of S. exigua bacteremia in a patient with multiple medical comorbidities who was hospitalized after reporting to Emergency Department due to fatigue and right ear pain. The patient subsequently developed signs of persistent symptoms of septicemia, prompting an extensive investigation. Blood cultures identified S. exigua as the causative agent. This case underscores the importance of thorough culture workup and clinical correlation, especially in immunocompromised patients and patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Comprehensive dental care and the administration of targeted antibiotic therapy resulted in the patient’s full recovery. This report highlights the potential pathogenic role of S. exigua in certain clinical scenarios and emphasizes the need for awareness of its possible implications in systemic infections.
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spelling doaj-art-c45b642d3bb944bbace70dee6bb0787f2025-08-20T03:14:59ZengWileyCase Reports in Infectious Diseases2090-66332025-01-01202510.1155/crdi/2079663The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral InfectionGang Zhou0Lisa Cornelius1Dhammika H. Navarathna2Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineDepartment of MedicineDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ServicesSlackia exigua is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, nonspore-forming bacterium that is typically part of the normal oral microbiota. It is generally considered biochemically inert and is often dismissed as a nonpathogenic contaminant in clinical cultures, particularly in respiratory samples. However, in this case study, we report a rare instance of S. exigua bacteremia in a patient with multiple medical comorbidities who was hospitalized after reporting to Emergency Department due to fatigue and right ear pain. The patient subsequently developed signs of persistent symptoms of septicemia, prompting an extensive investigation. Blood cultures identified S. exigua as the causative agent. This case underscores the importance of thorough culture workup and clinical correlation, especially in immunocompromised patients and patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Comprehensive dental care and the administration of targeted antibiotic therapy resulted in the patient’s full recovery. This report highlights the potential pathogenic role of S. exigua in certain clinical scenarios and emphasizes the need for awareness of its possible implications in systemic infections.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crdi/2079663
spellingShingle Gang Zhou
Lisa Cornelius
Dhammika H. Navarathna
The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
title The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
title_full The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
title_fullStr The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
title_full_unstemmed The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
title_short The Pathogenic Potential of Slackia exigua: A Case Study of Bacteremia in a Patient With Oral Infection
title_sort pathogenic potential of slackia exigua a case study of bacteremia in a patient with oral infection
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/crdi/2079663
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