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Yersinia pseudotuberculosis septicemia and HIV
Maria Grazia Paglia1, Silvia D'Arezzo, Anna Festa
1Molecular Microbiology Unit, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|July 19, 2005
Summary
Community-acquired septicemia caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O1 occurred in two middle-aged, HIV-positive patients. HIV-related immunosuppression is a risk factor for this rare infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a rare cause of septicemia, particularly in developed countries.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to immunosuppression, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.
Observation:
- Two cases of community-acquired septicemia due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O1 were identified within an 8-month period.
- Both patients were middle-aged and HIV-positive, presenting with immunodeficiency.
Findings:
- The bacterial isolates from both patients were genetically indistinguishable.
- No direct epidemiological link was established between the two cases, suggesting potential environmental or indirect transmission routes.
Implications:
- HIV-related immunosuppression should be recognized as a significant risk factor for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis septicemia.
- This highlights the importance of considering Yersinia infections in immunocompromised individuals, even in non-endemic settings.
- Further research into transmission dynamics and clinical management of Yersinia septicemia in HIV patients is warranted.