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Intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Abiotrophia defectiva in a neutropenic child

A Phulpin-Weibel1, N Gaspar1, A Emirian2

  • 1Department of Oncology for Children and Adolescents, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Abiotrophia defectiva rarely causes infections in neutropenic patients. This study details a rare case of a long-term venous catheter infection caused by this bacterium in a child with neutropenia and Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Abiotrophia defectiva is typically associated with bloodstream infections (bacteraemia) and heart valve infections (endocarditis).
  • Infections caused by Abiotrophia defectiva in neutropenic patients are uncommon.
  • Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder that can lead to immune deficiencies, including neutropenia.

Observation:

  • A febrile child with neutropenia and a history of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis presented with a long-term venous catheter.
  • The child developed a catheter-related bloodstream infection.
  • Diagnostic cultures identified Abiotrophia defectiva as the causative pathogen.

Findings:

  • This case represents a rare instance of Abiotrophia defectiva causing a catheter-related infection in a neutropenic pediatric patient.
  • The clinical presentation highlights the potential for Abiotrophia defectiva to cause severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Successful management of the infection was achieved.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known spectrum of Abiotrophia defectiva infections, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
  • It underscores the importance of considering less common pathogens in neutropenic patients with catheter-related infections.
  • Further research may be warranted to understand the pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for Abiotrophia defectiva infections in this population.

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