Rare Bacteria Infection Leaves Man Fighting for Life

On November 15, 2025, a concerning case emerged of a normally harmless bacteria causing severe, life-threatening infections. A 53-year-old man was recently hospitalized for 66 days after Group G Streptococcus (GGS), a bacteria that typically lives harmlessly on the skin, spread to his bloodstream.

The man, who had a history of smoking and a previous heart operation, was rushed to the hospital with a high fever, decreased consciousness, and an eye infection. Within two days, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he needed to be intubated and given a last-resort antibiotic, vancomycin, to treat the severe infection.

Doctors discovered the man was suffering from meningitis, heart inflammation, and blindness in his left eye due to the GGS infection. After a prolonged hospital stay and multiple rounds of antibiotics, the man was eventually discharged, though he remained permanently blind in one eye.

This case highlights the growing dangers posed by GGS, which has been linked to more severe infections in recent years. Experts are unsure if the bacteria have become more virulent or if the declining health of the human population is a contributing factor. Regardless, this incident underscores the importance of early recognition and comprehensive management of such invasive GGS infections.