First isolation of Dysgonomonas mossii from intestinal juice of a patient with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND Dysgonomonas species were first designated in 2000. However, clinical infections due to this microorganism have rarely been described. Our aim was to present the first isolation of Dysgonomonas mossii from intestinal juice of a patient with pancreatic cancer. METHODS Predominantly appearing grayish-white colonies grown on chocolate and sheep blood agar plates were characterized morphologically by Gram stain, biochemically by automated instrument using Vitek II ID-GNB card together with commercially available kit systems, ID-Test HN-20 and API rapid ID 32A32A, and genetically by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of the organism using a Taq DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing and a model 3100 DNA sequencer instrument. The isolate was further characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility using MicroFast 4J Panels and additional biochemical and physiological properties. RESULTS The isolate was finally identified as D. mossii from the findings of the morphological, cultural, and biochemical properties together with the comparative sequence of the 16S rRNA genes. The isolate was highly susceptible to many antibiotics but resistant to penicillins and cephems. CONCLUSIONS As D. mossii was rarely encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory, it may be misidentified as an X-factor-dependent Haemophilus species due to its negative result for the porphyrin test. Accumulation of the case reports with the isolation of this species is expected to elucidate the infections due to D. mossii. The presence of D. mossii caused no significant clinical infection despite repeated isolations, as the patient had no conspicuous abdominal complaints. However, our report is a noteworthy and useful piece of information.