Management of an infected native aortic aneurysm secondary to an extremely rare pathogen - Cutibacterium acnes infection

Abstract

A 76-year-old male was treated for an incidentally diagnosed 6.6 cm infective native aortic aneurysm (INAA). He reported significant chronic back pain; but had no other clinical or radiological features of an infective or inflammatory aneurysm. He underwent open repair; aortic tissue culture was positive for Cutibacterium acnes. C. Acnes (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes) is an extremely rare etiology for INAA, there are no reports of long-term outcomes after open repair.^1-4 He was treated with 6 weeks of IV ceftriaxone and remains on oral amoxicillin for chronic suppression with no reinfection on imaging and improvement in back pain.