Bloodstream infection caused by coinfection of Actinomyces turicensis and Gemella morbillorum: a case report and literature review

This CARE-guided report details a rare case of bloodstream infection caused by coinfection of <i>Actinomyces turicensis</i> and <i>Gemella morbillorum</i> in a 69-year-old male with diabetic foot. <i>Actinomyces turicensis</i> and <i>Gemella morbillorum</i> are an opportunistic pathogen that rarely causes human infection, while bloodstream infection is more rarely. They are tend to occur in immunocompromised individuals and are highly susceptible to mixed infections with other opportunistic pathogens. <i>Actinomyces turicensis and Gemella morbillorum</i> can cause invasive infections, including bloodstream infection, abscess, endocarditis and other infectious diseases. We reported a 69-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by a chronic, neuropathic, right-first-toe ulcer (Wagner grade 4 with underlying osteomyelitis), presented with chills, fever, and foot pain. Cultures of blood and purulent secretions from the foot revealed a mixed infection that was predominantly caused by <i>Actinomyces turicensis</i> and <i>Gemella morbillorum</i>. After 9 days of treatment with antibiotics, the patient exhibited a satisfactory recovery and he was discharged from the hospital. Clinicians should pay attention to disseminated infections caused by <i>Actinomyces turicensis</i> and <i>Gemella morbillorum</i>. Timely microbiological examinations and accurate identification methods are conducive to early diagnosis. The prognosis is relatively favorable with appropriate antibiotics, lesion removal, and other therapeutic measures.