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Agrobacterium tumefaciens peritonitis mimicking tuberculosis
F C Ramirez1, Z A Saeed, R O Darouiche
1Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
Summary
Agrobacterium tumefaciens caused ascites in a cirrhotic patient, a first reported case. This bacterium may be an underdiagnosed cause of high-protein ascites, often mistaken for tuberculosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Agrobacterium species are known plant pathogens.
- Clinical infections with Agrobacterium are rare but documented.
- Cirrhosis is a common condition associated with ascites.
Observation:
- A cirrhotic patient presented with high-protein ascites.
- Initial diagnosis considered tuberculosis due to ascites characteristics.
- Laparoscopy-guided tissue sampling was crucial for diagnosis.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with ascites caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
- This is the first reported case of ascites due to this specific bacterium in a cirrhotic patient.
- Microbial identification required examination of multiple tissue specimens.
Implications:
- Agrobacterium tumefaciens should be considered in the differential diagnosis of high-protein ascites, especially in cirrhotic patients.
- This case highlights the potential for underdiagnosis of Agrobacterium infections.
- Improved diagnostic strategies may be needed to identify Agrobacterium as a clinical pathogen.