Sarcina ventriculi are strict anaerobic Gram-positive cocci bacteria [1]. They were first reported in 1842 by John Goodsir in a young patient with voluminous frothy vomiting [2]. Carbohydrate fermentation is the sole metabolic pathway used by these bacteria to generate energy, allowing them to survive in an acidophilic environment, such as the stomach [3]. These bacteria are most commonly found in patients with delayed gastric emptying or gastric outlet obstruction [4]. S. ventriculi cocci organize into tetrads imparting the chambers of a heart appearance [5]. This distinctive morphologic appearance makes their diagnosis relatively straightforward by light microscope. We report here the first case of S. ventriculi in association with chemotherapy-induced ischemic-like gastric injury in a patient with transformed high-grade B-cell lymphoma.

An 81-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department complaining of abdominal pain, intermittent diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The pertinent past medical history included diabetes mellitus type II, and follicular lymphoma with a transformation to Burkitt’s-like high-grade B-cell lymphoma, status-post- EPOCH chemotherapy regimen. The patient denied fever, chills, or night sweats. There was no evidence of relapsed lymphoma by imaging studies. The patient had undergone a colonoscopy in an outside institute and showed no evidence of abnormality or malignancy. A computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast showed gastric dilatation, bilateral pulmonary fibrosis, and an atrophic pancreas. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a large mass effect with marked erythema and edema involving the fundus and body of the stomach. Ischemic changes were noted in the antrum. The esophagus showed grade C erosive esophagitis. Multiple gastric biopsies were obtained from the lesion and antrum.

Histologic examination by light microscope showed an edematous oxyntic-type gastric mucosa with surface epithelial degeneration, shedding, and a superimposed layer of fibrin-leukocytic membrane. Fragments of gastric epithelium with coagulative necrosis admixed with eosinophilic hyaline materials were noted. The basal gastric glands are lined by cells that appear reactive and have distinct nucleoli (Figure 1). Hyaline thrombi in few small blood vessels identified (Figure 1). Focal emphysematous changes were noted (Figure 2). The aforementioned morphologic findings are reminiscent of ischemic gastritis, which is rare because of the abundant vascular supply serving the stomach. The luminal mucosal surface showed numerous basophilic microorganisms that had a cuboid shape with a tetrad configuration that resembles the cross-section of a heart (Figure 3). The microorganisms were strongly Gram-stain positive. The morphologic findings were consistent with S. ventriculi. Antral gastric biopsy showed moderate chronic inactive gastritis with no evidence of S. ventriculi or Helicobacter pylori organisms. The gastric biopsy showed no morphologic evidence of lymphoma or other malignancies. The patient was discharged with a course of antibiotics, including metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and vancomycin.

Whether S. ventriculi is pathogenic, or the stomach is its natural habitat remains a question; however, S. ventriculi is a well-known cause of mortality in livestock [6]. These bacteria are widely spread in the soil, which means the ingestion of food contaminated with S. ventriculi is unavoidable [1]. There is a recent increase in reports that link S. ventriculi to variable morbidity, and even mortality, in humans, particularly in patients with delayed gastric emptying [7]. In such patients, these bacteria may have a survival advantage because of the low PH environment created by delayed gastric emptying or gastric outlet obstruction. S. ventriculi is less likely to be pathogenic in healthy individuals; however, it may exacerbate a pre-existing condition and contribute to patient morbidity, as in our patient.

In a recent literature review by Al Rasheed et al., S. ventriculi was reported predominantly in adults with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1. Its clinical presentation varies between epigastric pain, anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea to more life-threatening conditions, such as emphysematous gastritis and perforation. The preexisting conditions observed in the review included diabetes mellitus, cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric banding, cystic fibrosis, bowel resection, refractory gastric ulcers treated by Billroth II antrectomy, and pylorus sparing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma [5]. Coinfection with Candida species, Giardia, H. pylori, and Staphylococcus has been reported [5],[8]. Some cases of life-threatening emphysematous gastritis and gastric perforation with mortality have been reported [7]. In our case, the patient has ischemic-like changes induced by chemotherapy in the gastric mucosa, which has not been reported before in the literature.

The endoscopic findings, which were observed in cases of infection with S. ventriculi, varied between normal-appearing gastric mucosa to erythematous, edematous mucosa, erosions, ulcers, food bezoar, and restriction [5].

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain is usually sufficient to recognize and diagnose S. ventriculi by light microscope. This bacterium has a cuboid shape and measures 1.8–3 μm in size with a tetrad-packet arrangement that resembles the chambers of a heart [4]. Gram stain can be helpful, but it is not necessary. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) might be used as a confirmatory test if needed [4]. The main differential diagnosis is Micrococcus species, which are smaller (0.5 μm) aerobic microorganisms that are catalase-positive, in contrast to the larger S. ventriculi that show a negative catalase test [5]. S. ventriculi can be identified in pyloric and duodenal brushing cytologic specimens [9].

No standard treatment regimen has been developed for S. ventriculi; however, treatment with combined antibiotics like metronidazole and ciprofloxacin successfully eradicates the organisms in some cases [5]. Stable patients and healthy individuals may not require therapy. Some patients may need proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and prokinetic agents [10].

There has been a recent surging in reporting S. ventriculi in the medical literature, particularly in patients with delayed gastric emptying. Identifying these bacteria in gastric biopsies is essential because some cases can be associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Additional studies are necessary to shed more light on the pathogenicity of S. ventriculi and to optimize a treatment regimen.