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Soft tissue infection caused by Burkholderia cepacia in a child with polyarteritis nodosa

Başak Yıldız1, Muhterem Duyu, Betül Sözeri

  • 1Departments of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey. basakyildiz@gmail.com.

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|May 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A rare soft tissue infection in a child with polyarteritis nodosa was caused by Burkholderia cepacia. Prompt meropenem treatment successfully resolved the severe sepsis and tissue damage.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Burkholderia cepacia is an opportunistic pathogen known for causing severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Previous soft tissue infections in the patient were attributed to Pseudomonas spp. and Escherichia coli.

Observation:

  • A child with polyarteritis nodosa on cyclosporine therapy developed a severe soft tissue infection with fever and sepsis.
  • Blood, urine, and tissue cultures identified Burkholderia cepacia as the causative agent.
  • The isolate was resistant to multiple antibiotics but susceptible to carbapenems.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment of the severe soft tissue infection and sepsis was achieved with a 14-day course of meropenem.
  • This infection was more severe than prior infections caused by other agents.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for Burkholderia cepacia to cause severe invasive infections in pediatric patients with underlying conditions and immunosuppression.
  • Emphasizes the importance of accurate microbiological diagnosis and targeted antibiotic therapy, such as carbapenems, for effective management.
  • Suggests careful monitoring and potential reconsideration of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with recurrent infections.

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