Fournier’s gangrene caused by Pediococcus damnosus – A case report and review of the literature

The anaerobic bacterium Pediococcus damnosus is known to be associated with beer or wine spoilage in breweries, and human infection with Pediococcus damnosus has never been reported. A man with severe diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy consulted our clinic because of painful swelling of the scrotal skin and a fever. The patient was diagnosed with Fournier’s gangrene, and Pediococcus damnosus was exclusively isolated from the exudate. Finally, one of the testes became necrotic and was excised. This is the first case of human infection by Pediococcus damnosus and primary skin infection due to Pediococcus species.