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Pancytopenia Unraveled: Tracing Rare Cardiobacterium hominis Bacteremia Back to the Gut

Annie Kleynerman1, Ryan C Day2, Iiro Honkanen3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.

Cureus
|July 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cardiobacterium hominis bacteremia can cause pancytopenia, a rare complication. This case highlights the need for broad differential diagnoses in elderly patients presenting with pancytopenia, especially after procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Cardiobacterium hominis (C. hominis) is a rare cause of endocarditis, often affecting individuals with valvular heart disease.
  • Diagnosis is challenging due to C. hominis' rarity, prolonged culture times, and non-specific symptoms.

Observation:

  • A gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure likely preceded the infection.
  • An elderly male presented with pancytopenia secondary to C. hominis bacteremia.

Findings:

  • This is the first reported case of pancytopenia associated with C. hominis bacteremia.
  • The patient's pancytopenia was a direct result of the C. hominis infection.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider C. hominis in the differential diagnosis of pancytopenia, particularly in at-risk populations.
  • Early recognition of subclinical bacteremia signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of C. hominis infections.
  • Broadening the differential for pancytopenia can improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:
bacteremiablood culturesbone marrow suppressioncardiobacterium hominisdelayed speciationendoscopyinfective endocarditislymphocytic colitispancytopeniatransesophageal echocardiography

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