H. Murata et al., Fulminant pneumonia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in a man with chronic renal failure and liver cirrhosis, INTERN MED, 40(2), 2001, pp. 118-123
A 40-year-old man on hemodialysis was admitted due to dyspnea and chest pai
n and was diagnosed with pneumonia and pericarditis. Ampicillin was adminis
tered, but thereafter severe septic shock developed. The fulminant type of
pneumonia progressed rapidly, and he died only 48 hours after the onset of
symptoms. The autopsy and sputa culture revealed pneumonia due to Aeromonas
hydrophila. The source of this infection remained unkown, Interestingly, t
here were two types of A. hydrophila found during such a short period. The
physician should suspect this disease by questioning the patient's history.
Early treatment with adequate antibiotics is the only means of saving such
a patient's life.