First Chinese case report of Helcococcus kunzii in a patient with diabetic foot

Background Infection of Helcococcus kunzii ( H . kunzii ) from diabetic foot wound is rarely reported. This case report describes the infection of H.kunzii and highlights the therapeutic effect on H.kunzii from a diabetic foot wound. Case presentation In this study, one H . kunzii strain was isolated from a patient with diabetic foot, which was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene analysis and MALDI-TOF-MS. It is the first Chinese case of H. kunzii in a patient with diabetic foot. As a result of the lack of antibiotic sensitivity data and multiple comorbidities, antibiotics were used cautiously, and those administered during the first 3 months were ineffective. Then, vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) was applied during hospitalization; no antibiotics were used and the wound healed well. Conclusions VSD alone may be more effective in treating diabetic feet infected with H. kunzii , which may provide reference for clinical treatment of H. kunzii infection from diabetic foot.