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[Bacteremia from Campylobacter fetus. Increasing interest and incidence]
M L Pedro-Botet Montoya1, M Sabrià-Leal, I Carrasco Miserachs
1Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Sección de Microbiología, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona.
Insights
Campylobacter fetus bacteremia can occur in immunocompromised patients, presenting with fever. While generally treatable, recurrent infections are possible, particularly in those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Campylobacter fetus is an emerging cause of extraintestinal infections.
- Bacteremia due to Campylobacter fetus is uncommon but can occur in patients with underlying conditions.
Observation:
- Three cases of Campylobacter fetus bacteremia are presented: one male and two females.
- All patients had significant underlying illnesses: Hodgkin disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and hepatic cirrhosis.
- Patients presented with fever, with no other identifiable infectious focus, and physical findings were non-specific.
Findings:
- Blood cultures confirmed Campylobacter fetus bacteremia between days 6 and 9 of admission.
- Antibiotic treatment regimens were not standardized, precluding definitive conclusions on efficacy.
- Most patients recovered, but one individual with HIV experienced a recurrent infection course.
Implications:
- These cases highlight the potential for Campylobacter fetus to cause severe bloodstream infections in vulnerable populations.
- The recurrent nature of infection in the HIV-positive patient underscores the challenges in managing such cases.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for Campylobacter fetus are warranted for extraintestinal infections.
Abstract:
Three bacteremias of Campylobacter fetus were described. One was a male patient and two were females. Underlying illnesses were present in all of them (Hodgkin disease, AIDS and hepatic cirrhosis respectively). They were all admitted because of fever and no other symptoms of infectious focus were present. Physical findings were not relevant. The blood cultures became positive in days 6, 7 and 9 respectively. Antibiotic treatments were not standardised, so no conclusions can be drawn. The evolution was correct except for the patient infected by the human immunodeficiency virus who carried out a recurrent course. The authors comment on the increasing interest of this pathogen causing extraintestinal infection.