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[Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae--rare etiology of persistent febrile syndrome]

Mihaela Cătălina Luca1, Olivia Dorneanu, Luminiţa Sabadîş

  • 1Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr T Popa Iaşi, Facultatea de Medicină, Disciplina Boli Infecţioase.

Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii De Medici Si Naturalisti Din Iasi
|April 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a zoonotic bacterium, can cause bacteremia without endocarditis, a rare condition typically seen in immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights successful treatment in an elderly patient with underlying heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in animals, causing zoonotic infections in humans.
  • Human infections typically manifest as skin infections (erysipeloid) but can progress to septic arthritis or systemic disease, frequently involving endocarditis.
  • Bacteremia without endocarditis is an exceptionally rare presentation, predominantly observed in immunocompromised patients.

Observation:

  • A 75-year-old woman with pre-existing mitral regurgitation presented with a persistent febrile syndrome.
  • Repeated echocardiogram examinations showed no evidence of cardiac vegetations.
  • No clear portal of entry for the infection was identified.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia.
  • This diagnosis was unexpected given the absence of endocarditis and typical risk factors.
  • The patient successfully recovered following a 14-day course of intravenous Ampicillin therapy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the possibility of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia presenting without endocarditis, even in elderly patients with cardiac conditions.
  • It emphasizes the importance of considering less common presentations of zoonotic infections.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, such as Ampicillin, are crucial for successful outcomes in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia.

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