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Invasive infection due to Moraxella lacunata, an unusual pathogen

Ujjwayini Ray1, Sujoy Kar

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Serology, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. dr_uray@rediffmail.com

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|March 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Moraxella lacunata, typically harmless, can cause severe invasive infections. This case highlights its potential for septicemia and metastatic abscesses in immunocompromised patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Moraxella lacunata is a Gram-negative coccobacillus, usually a commensal of the upper respiratory tract.
  • Invasive infections are rare but can be severe, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • A patient with diabetic nephropathy presented with symptoms of severe illness.
  • The patient developed septicemia with abscesses in the liver and spleen.
  • Multiple ring-enhancing lesions were observed in the cerebral hemispheres.

Findings:

  • Cultures confirmed the presence of Moraxella lacunata as the causative agent of septicemia.
  • The organism was identified as the source of metastatic abscesses in the liver and spleen.
  • Cerebral lesions were strongly suspected to be related to Moraxella lacunata infection.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for Moraxella lacunata to cause severe, disseminated disease in susceptible hosts.
  • Highlights the importance of considering Moraxella lacunata in the differential diagnosis of invasive infections, especially in patients with diabetes and kidney disease.
  • Suggests the need for further research into the virulence factors and clinical spectrum of Moraxella lacunata infections.

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