19 October 2015
: Case report
Chromobacterium Violaceum Sepsis: Rethinking Conventional Therapy to Improve Outcome
Challenging differential diagnosis, Management of emergency care, Rare disease
Kathleen R. RichardABCDEF, Joshua J. LovvornABDEF, Sara E. OliverBCDEF, Shannon A. RossBCDEF, Kim W. BennerDEF, Michele Y.F. KongABCDEFGDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.894509
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:740-744
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) is a facultative anaerobic gram-negative bacterium found in soil and water, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Although infection in humans is rare, it is associated with significant morbidity. The bacterium is known for its resistance to multiple antimicrobials, and the possibility of relapse and reinfection. Presence of bacteremia, disseminated infection, and ineffective antimicrobial agents are predictors of mortality.
CASE REPORT: We report the case of a previously healthy 11-year-old male with C. violaceum sepsis who was exposed to stagnant water. He presented with severe septic shock and developed multi-organ system failure. Initial presumptive diagnosis was staphylococcal infection secondary to presence of skin abscesses resulting in antibiotic coverage with vancomycin, clindamycin, nafcillin and ceftriaxone. He also had multiple lung and liver abscesses. Once C. violaceum was identified, he received meropenem and ciprofloxacin, and was later discharged on ertapenem and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) to complete a total of six months of antibiotics. He was diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and is currently on prophylactic TMP-SMX and itraconazole. He has not had any relapses since his initial presentation.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of considering C. violaceum as a relevant human pathogen, and considering it early in temperate regions, particularly in cases of fulminant sepsis associated with multi-organ abscesses. Once C. violaceum is identified, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be started promptly, and sufficient duration of treatment is necessary for successful therapy.
Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use, Child, Chromobacterium - isolation & purification, Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - microbiology, Sepsis - microbiology
In Press
17 Mar 2024 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943370
18 Mar 2024 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943803
18 Mar 2024 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943467
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943376
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250