Bloodstream infection caused by Campylobacter lari

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Bloodstream infections (BSI) can be caused by various pathogens.
• Campylobacter species are known causes of gastroenteritis but less commonly BSI.
• Lumbar pyogenic spondylitis is a severe spinal infection often requiring prolonged treatment.

Observation:

• A 58-year-old male with lumbar pyogenic spondylitis developed a bloodstream infection.
• Blood cultures were positive for a capnophilic, curved, gram-negative bacterium after prolonged incubation.
• The bacterium was identified as Campylobacter lari using phenotypic methods and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Findings:

• Campylobacter lari was confirmed as the causative agent of BSI in this patient.
• Successful eradication of the BSI was achieved with a combination antibiotic regimen including tazobactam/piperacillin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.
• The infection required specific and targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Implications:

• Accurate species-level identification of Campylobacter is crucial for effective BSI treatment.
• Understanding the spectrum of Campylobacter spp. causing BSIs can inform clinical practice.
• This case contributes to the limited literature on Campylobacter lari bloodstream infections, particularly in the context of spinal infections.