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Lactobacillemia in three patients with AIDS
C A Horwitch1, H A Furseth, A M Larson
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98122, USA.
Summary
Lactobacillemia, a rare bloodstream infection, is now associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This study highlights three AIDS patients who developed lactobacillemia, suggesting a new clinical link for this opportunistic infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lactobacillemia is an uncommon bloodstream infection.
- Previous reports linked lactobacillemia to renal transplantation and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in one patient.
- The clinical significance and risk factors for lactobacillemia in immunocompromised individuals remain underexplored.
Observation:
- Three patients with late-stage Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) developed lactobacillemia.
- All patients had severe immunosuppression (CD4 counts < 55/mm3).
- Common factors included indwelling central venous catheters, concurrent coagulase-negative staphylococci bacteremia, and recent vancomycin use in two patients.
Findings:
- This case series presents the first documented association between lactobacillus bacteremia and AIDS.
- The findings suggest that lactobacillemia may be an opportunistic infection in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS.
- Concurrent infections and invasive devices appear to be significant contributing factors.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider lactobacillemia in the differential diagnosis of bloodstream infections in patients with advanced AIDS.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of lactobacillemia in immunocompromised hosts.
- These findings may inform infection control strategies and treatment protocols for patients with severe HIV/AIDS.