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A Lethal Case of Pseudomonas putida Bacteremia Due to Soft Tissue Infection

Benjamin S Thomas1, Koh Okamoto, Matthew J Bankowski

  • 1Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.

Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice (Baltimore, Md.)
|June 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas putida rarely causes skin infections, but can be lethal. This case highlights malnutrition, immobility, and vascular disease as critical risk factors for severe outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Pseudomonas putida is an infrequent pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).
  • Infections are typically linked to trauma or compromised immune systems.
  • Lethal cases of P. putida bacteremia from SSTIs are exceptionally rare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first documented lethal case of Pseudomonas putida bacteremia originating from a skin and soft tissue infection.
  • To identify and emphasize significant risk factors contributing to the fatal outcome.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing a patient with Pseudomonas putida SSTI and subsequent bacteremia.
  • Review of clinical presentation, risk factors, and treatment course.
  • Identification of predisposing conditions associated with the infection.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed lethal bacteremia due to Pseudomonas putida originating from an SSTI.
  • Identified risk factors included severe malnutrition, immobility, and peripheral vascular disease.
  • This represents the first reported fatality from P. putida SSTI-associated bacteremia.

Conclusions:

  • Pseudomonas putida can cause severe, life-threatening infections, even from skin and soft tissue sources.
  • Malnutrition, immobility, and peripheral vascular disease are critical risk factors for lethal P. putida bacteremia.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for P. putida in at-risk patients with SSTIs.
Keywords:
Pseudomonas putidacellulitissepsissoft tissue infection

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