Concurrent Sarcina ventriculi infection in a patient with Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis: A case report

Sarcina ventriculi is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, chemo-organotrophic anaerobic organism, which is rare in humans. Although its role as a pathogen in humans remains poorly characterized, it has been associated with delayed gastric emptying, emphysematous gastritis, and gastric perforation in existing literature. The index case was a 34-year-old male who presented with a history of abdominal pain, 1-month history of frequent vomiting, bloating, and abdominal distension. He was evaluated for gastric-outlet obstruction secondary to a possible gastric tumor. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a stomach that is filled with food debris, hyperemia, and deformed pylorus but no mass was seen. Histology of a mucosal biopsy sample showed active antral predominant gastritis with concurrent H. pylori and S. ventriculi infections. A repeat endoscopy following antibiotic treatment showed the absence of H pylori and S. ventriculi and the patient reported a cessation of symptoms. S. ventriculi was found in association with H. pylori infection.