Flavobacterium meningosepticum sepsis in an infant with a diarrheal prodrome

A full term, previously normal 21/2-month-old black boy was transferred to our hospital from an outlying facility on hospital day 5 for failure to thr ive. Three weeks before transfer the infant was hospitalized for a diarrhea l illness with fever. The baby received 3 days of ceftriaxone empirically a nd was discharged home after the sepsis evaluation was negative. Mild diarr hea and steady weight loss continued and the baby was readmitted. Blood cul ture done on admission grew Flavobacterium meningosepticum, an organism pre viously described as arm uncommon cause of sepsis in neonates and immunocom promised individuals. As it is water-borne, it has been associated with inf ection via contaminated water, This organism is usually resistant to antibi otics commonly used for empiric treatment. To our knowledge, this is the fi rst reported case of Flavobacterium bacteremia associated with a prodromal and concurrent diarrheal illness.