A man's life was nearly claimed by a common bacterium that lives harmlessly on the skin of most people, in a harrowing case that underscores a growing medical concern. A 53-year-old patient in Japan endured a 66-day hospital stay, including a period on life support, after Group G Streptococcus (GGS) invaded his bloodstream, triggering a cascade of life-threatening conditions.
A Rapid and Severe Decline
The man was admitted to St Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo after two days of a high fever, chills, joint pain, and an infection in his left eye. Initially treated with antibiotics for a presumed bloodstream infection, his condition deteriorated alarmingly fast. Within just 48 hours, his level of consciousness dropped dramatically, necessitating an emergency transfer to the intensive care unit.
Doctors were forced to intubate him to assist his breathing, and he remained on a ventilator for five days. During this critical period, blood tests confirmed the culprit: an invasive GGS infection. The bacteria had caused meningitis, a dangerous inflammation of the brain's membranes, and a severe eye infection that spread to both eyes.
Underlying Health Complications
The patient's medical history likely played a role in the severity of his illness. He was a former smoker and had undergone major heart surgery three decades earlier. This procedure involved fitting a prosthetic valve into his aorta. The GGS infection led to prosthetic valve endocarditis, a serious inflammation of the heart valve that can be fatal if it impairs the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
His treatment involved the powerful, last-resort antibiotic vancomycin. His road to recovery was precarious, with doctors having to re-administer the potent drug on two separate occasions—on day eight and day 24 of his hospitalisation—when blood tests showed spiking inflammation levels.
Lasting Consequences and a Medical Warning
After a total of 66 days in hospital, the man was finally discharged. While his brain function returned to normal, he suffered a permanent loss: he was left blind in his left eye due to complications from the infection.
The case, detailed in the American Journal of Case Reports, highlights a worrying trend. While GGS is typically harmless, reports of severe, invasive infections have 'substantially increased' in recent years. Physicians are unsure if the bacteria are becoming more virulent or if declining public health is a factor.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by common bacteria and underscores the critical need for early recognition and comprehensive management of such invasive infections.
