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Alcaligenes piechaudii from chronic ear discharge
M M Peel1, A J Hibberd, B M King
1Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
A novel bacterium, Alcaligenes piechaudii, was repeatedly found in the ear discharge of a diabetic patient. This study provides the first clinical evidence suggesting this species may act as a pathogen in human infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Bacteriology
Background:
- Alcaligenes piechaudii is a recently described bacterial species.
- The pathogenic potential of A. piechaudii in humans remains largely uncharacterized.
- Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for various infections.
Observation:
- A. piechaudii was repeatedly isolated from the ear discharge of a single patient.
- The patient had a history of diabetes mellitus.
- Clinical signs of infection were present.
Findings:
- This case report details the isolation of A. piechaudii from human clinical samples.
- The repeated isolation suggests a persistent infection.
- Clinical evidence supports a pathogenic role for A. piechaudii in this instance.
Implications:
- This finding expands the spectrum of known human pathogens.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenicity of A. piechaudii.
- Clinicians should consider A. piechaudii in the differential diagnosis of ear infections, particularly in diabetic patients.