Achromobacter causing a thrombophlebitis and osteomyelitis combination: a rare cause.
Gizem Pamuk1, Deniz Aygun2, Kenan Barut1
1Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
BMJ Case Reports
|September 9, 2015
Summary
Achromobacter xylosoxidans, a Gram-negative bacterium, can cause rare soft tissue infections like thrombophlebitis and osteomyelitis, even in healthy individuals following trauma. This case highlights infection in a young girl after ankle injury from tight shoes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a Gram-negative bacillus found in human flora.
- Infections are uncommon, typically affecting immunocompromised individuals.
- However, healthy subjects can develop soft tissue infections after trauma.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old girl presented with purulent ankle discharge post-trauma from tight shoes.
- The patient developed thrombophlebitis and subsequent osteomyelitis.
- Achromobacter xylosoxidans was identified as the causative agent.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates Achromobacter xylosoxidans causing severe soft tissue infection (thrombophlebitis and osteomyelitis) in a previously healthy adolescent.
- The infection was secondary to localized trauma and purulent discharge.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for Achromobacter xylosoxidans to cause invasive infections in healthy individuals, particularly after local trauma.
- Underscores the importance of considering Achromobacter in soft tissue infections, even in immunocompetent patients.
- Suggests vigilance for bacterial infections following minor trauma, especially in susceptible anatomical sites like the ankle.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
660
Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
660
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
777
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
777
01:29Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae
709
The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic...
709
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
1.2K
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
1.2K
01:27Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
1.2K
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such...
1.2K
01:30Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
860
Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
860