Epidemiological Characteristics of Infections Associated with Culture Isolated Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Retrospective Analysis

Objectives: The pathogenic potential of Fusobacterium nucleatum and its significance in infections has gained new interest. This retrospective study assessed the epidemiology of patients with infections and culture isolated F. nucleatum at two county hospitals in Houston, Texas. Methods: Clinical, epidemiological and microbiological data were obtained from the electronic medical record for both Ben Taub General Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2011. Results: The overall incidence of patients with culture isolation of F. nucleatum associated was 0.0113% (45 patients out of approximately 400,000 patient admissions). Skin and soft tissue infections were the most prevalent (31%). In our study, only 6.3% were immunocompromised. Males represented 66.7% of the subjects. Our median age was much lower than previous reports at 43.4 years. F. nucleatum was isolated from a wound or abscess in 77.5% and 100% of those patients required surgical intervention. Of the 40 patients identified, 38 (95%) survived at least 30 days after discharge from the hospital. Conclusions: In our report of 40 cases, skin and soft tissues were the most frequent sites of F. nucleatum isolation. Most infections were related to a wound or abscess that needed surgical intervention in addition to antibiotics. No significant association was noted with an immunocompromised state.