Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia in a man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Bordetella bronchiseptica can be a cause of virulent pneumonia in humans with impaired immune systems. Few cases have been reported in the medical literature where Bordetella bronchiseptica has been the only pathogen isolated during a course of interstitial pneumonia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old African-American man with human immunodeficiency virus presented with pulmonary symptoms that mimicked Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. A sputum culture grew Bordetella brochiseptica, a common respiratory commensal of wild and domestic animals, rarely implicated in human infections. CONCLUSION: Bordetella bronchiseptica should be added to the differential list of pathogens which can affect people with human immunodeficiency virus and pulmonary symptoms. Sputum culture, as well as history of animal exposure, in these patients is advised.