Ann Clin Microbiol.  2014 Dec;17(4):132-135. 10.5145/ACM.2014.17.4.132.

Identification of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae by DNA Sequencing in a Culture-Negative Intra-Abdominal Abscess

• Huh HJ
• Kim HY
• Ha YE
• Ki CS
• Lee NY

• KMID: 1971109
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2014.17.4.132

Abstract

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive bacillus that causes infections primarily in animals. In humans, the bacteria usually cause localized or generalized cutaneous infections. A 75-year-old man with chronic alcoholism presented with abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography and laboratory findings suggested an intra-abdominal abscess in the periaortic soft tissue. While no definitive infectious source was identified, E. rhusiopathiae was identified by 16S rRNA-based gene sequencing from culture-negative, periaortic necrotic tissue, subsequent to empiric antibiotic treatment. It is suggested that E. rhusiopathiae has the potential to cause intra-abdominal abscesses. This case report highlights the usefulness of DNA sequencing to identify pathogens in patients pretreated with antibiotics.

Keyword

Abscess; Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae; Sequencing; 16S rRNA

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Abscess*
Abdominal Pain
Abscess
Aged
Alcoholism
Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacillus
Bacteria
Erysipelothrix*
Humans
Sequence Analysis, DNA*
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Abdominal computed tomography scan showing soft tissue infiltration and ischemic lesions around the aorta (arrow).

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