Fatal septicemia and endotoxic shock due to Aeromonas hydrophila

BACKGROUND: Although rare, bloodstream infections caused by Aeromonas tend to be very severe and progress rapidly. CASE REPORT: We report a case of an 81-year-old man with fetal septicemia and endotoxin shock caused by Aeromonas hydrophila. The patient had dilated cardiomyopathy, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, interstitial pneumonitis and renal dysfunction was admitted to our hospital with chest pain and dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated impaired left ventricular wall motion and severe mitral regurgitation due to tethering. Cardiac catheterization revealed severe stenotic lesions in the left anterior descending artery and the right coronary artery. Surgery for coronary artery bypass grafts and mitral annuloplasty were performed. However, 2 days after surgery, he suddenly developed a high-grade fever and his hemodynamics deteriorated rapidly. His blood cultures revealed gram-negative Bacillus and the endotoxin concentration in the blood was elevated. Despite intensive support efforts, the patient died 1 day after the sudden change. His blood culture revealed A. hydrophila. CONCLUSIONS: Whenever Aeromonas is found in a patient’s bloodstream, clinicians should start appropriate and intensive treatment immediately.