Fulminant campylobacter jejuni bacteremia complicating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in a pediatric patient: a case report

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) usually causes mild diarrhea but can rarely enter the bloodstream and cause severe infection. Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) are more likely to get serious infections because of immune weakness from protein loss and steroid use. CASE PRESENTATION: A 7-year-old boy with steroid-dependent NS came to the hospital with fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. He quickly developed septic shock and was treated in the intensive care unit. jejuni was isolated from the blood culture, which was resistant to fluoroquinolones but sensitive to macrolides. After switching to azithromycin and adjusting his steroid therapy, the patient showed rapid improvement and made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: This case shows that C. jejuni can cause dangerous infections in children with NS. Clinicians should keep C. jejuni in mind when treating nephrotic children with sepsis and diarrhea, ensuring timely culture testing and targeted antibiotic treatment to avoid severe outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.