Aerococcus species

Microbiology

• Gram-positive coccus
• Notable species
  • Aerococcus urinae, which causes urinary tract infections
  • Aerococcus sanguinicola, causes UTIs, but sometimes a contaminant
  • Aerococcus viridans, often a contaminant
• Presumed resistance in vivo to TMP-SMX, even though it may appear susceptible in vitro
  • It can acquire folate from the host's urine, counteracting the antibiotic

Clinical Manifestations

• A. urinae causes UTI and endocarditis (often following UTI in older men)

Management

• Penicillin ± aminoglycoside (for synergy, based on in vitro studies)