Septic shock caused by Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae

Although bacterial vaginosis is the most common and benign vaginal infection worldwide, some cases of severe acute infections have been described in the literature. We report the case of a 57-year-old French female who developed a life-threatening postoperative peritonitis after a total hysterectomy with adnexectomy in the context of the removal of leiomyosarcoma. The microbiological analysis of the peritoneal fluid identified Gardnerella vaginalis and Atobopium vaginae. The final diagnosis was a septic shock induced by an early onset peritonitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis and Atobopium vaginae. The normal flora of the genital area could lead to a serious life threatening postoperative infection and should always be in the differential diagnosis.