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The Citrobacter rodentium Mouse Model: Studying Pathogen and Host Contributions to Infectious Colitis
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First pediatric case of Chromobacterium haemolyticum causing proctocolitis
Pornthep Tanpowpong1, Rarong Charoenmuang, Nopporn Apiwattanakul
1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|September 25, 2014
Summary
This study reports the first pediatric case of Chromobacterium haemolyticum causing proctocolitis. The infection presented as bloody diarrhea, initially misidentified, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment in a child.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Bloody diarrhea in children is commonly infectious but can mimic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Prompt identification of the causative agent is crucial for appropriate treatment, especially when antibiotics fail.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient presented with acute, mucous bloody diarrhea.
- Initial stool cultures were inconclusive, suggesting Vibrio mimicus or Aeromonas schubertii, but biochemical tests were atypical.
- Despite intravenous antibiotics, the patient experienced prolonged hematochezia.
Findings:
- Colonoscopy revealed rectosigmoid inflammation.
- 16s rRNA sequencing and final biochemical tests confirmed Chromobacterium haemolyticum as the causative agent.
- Repeat colonoscopy after 12 weeks indicated post-infectious colitis.
Implications:
- This case highlights Chromobacterium haemolyticum as a rare but significant cause of pediatric proctocolitis.
- It underscores the importance of advanced diagnostics like 16s rRNA sequencing when initial cultures are non-diagnostic.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is vital to prevent complications and guide treatment for infectious colitis in children.
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