Refractory Bacillus cereus infection in a neonate

Citation
R. Tuladhar et al., Refractory Bacillus cereus infection in a neonate, INT J CL PR, 54(5), 2000, pp. 345-347
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
ISSN journal
13685031 → ACNP
Volume
54
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
345 - 347
Database
ISI
SICI code
1368-5031(200006)54:5<345:RBCIIA>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive aerobic or facultatively anaerobic spore -forming rod, which usually causes food poisoning. Its recognition as a pat hogen in neonates has increased over the past two decades. The clinical cou rse of a neonate (gestation 24 weeks) with B. cereus infection refractory t o therapy is described. Death occurred after withdrawal of support followin g persistently positive blood and bone marrow cultures despite therapy with vancomycin, gentamicin, imipenum, clindamycin, ciprofloxacillin, immunoglo bulin and granulocyte colony stimulating factor over a period of 49 days. N o obvious focus of sepsis was identified. Contamination from the environmen t into the hospital and clinics occurs because of the ubiquitous presence o f B. cereus. Combination therapy with vancomycin and gentamycin is appropri ate for meningitis/severe systemic infections related to most bacillus spec ies. The significance of repeated isolation of B. cereus in neonates with c ompromised host defences is emphasised.