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Haemophilus aphrophilus isolated from blood
Zentralblatt Fur Bakteriologie : International Journal of Medical Microbiology
|September 1, 1990
Summary
A rare bacterium, *H. aphrophilus*, was identified in blood samples from a patient with fatal endocarditis. This finding aids in distinguishing it from similar bacteria like *Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans*.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Atypical endocarditis can be caused by various microorganisms.
- Accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Distinguishing between similar bacterial species is essential in clinical microbiology.
Observation:
- *Haemophilus aphrophilus* (*H. aphrophilus*) was repeatedly isolated from blood cultures of a 72-year-old male patient.
- The patient presented with a fatal case of atypical endocarditis.
- The isolation involved 11 successively cultivated blood samples.
Findings:
- Phenotypic characterization was employed for microorganism identification.
- Differential diagnosis was performed to distinguish *H. aphrophilus* from *Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans*.
- The study confirmed the presence of *H. aphrophilus* as the likely causative agent.
Implications:
- This case highlights *H. aphrophilus* as a potential pathogen in severe endocarditis.
- Accurate phenotypic identification is vital for differentiating similar bacterial species.
- Understanding the role of *H. aphrophilus* can inform clinical management of endocarditis.