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High mortality associated with Catabacter hongkongensis bacteremia
Susanna K P Lau1, Rachel Y Y Fan, Hoo-Wing Lo
1State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. skplau@hkucc.hku.hk
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 21, 2012
Summary
Catabacter hongkongensis bacteremia, a Gram-positive coccobacillus, presents a high mortality rate, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal malignancy. Early identification and susceptibility to metronidazole offer potential treatment avenues.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Catabacter hongkongensis is a recently identified anaerobic, Gram-positive coccobacillus.
- Human infections are rare, with limited case reports globally.
Observation:
- This study details five new cases of C. hongkongensis bacteremia in Hong Kong.
- Infections presented as sepsis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, and infected colon carcinoma.
- Three patients with gastrointestinal malignancy did not survive.
Findings:
- All isolates were catalase-positive, motile, indole-negative, and nitrate-negative.
- 16S rRNA gene analysis confirmed C. hongkongensis identification.
- The gastrointestinal tract is a likely source of bacteremia.
- Overall mortality for C. hongkongensis bacteremia is 50%, especially in immunocompromised patients.
- All isolates were susceptible to metronidazole.
Implications:
- C. hongkongensis bacteremia carries a significant mortality risk, particularly in patients with underlying malignancies.
- The gastrointestinal tract is implicated as the primary source.
- Metronidazole demonstrates consistent susceptibility, suggesting its potential therapeutic role.
- Further research, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, is crucial for understanding epidemiology and pathogenesis.
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