Article

Chromobacterium violaceum Cellulitis and Sepsis Following Cutaneous Marine Trauma

Author and Disclosure Information

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram-negative bacillary organism that characteristically produces the purple pigment violacein. Documented as the cause of clinically relevant human infections in only 35 cases in the United States, C violaceum is particularly seen in patients with a history of cutaneous injury or trauma. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who was struck by a propeller in a boating accident and sustained multiple deep lacerations of her right lower extremity. Shortly after admission to the hospital, the patient became frebrile and developed leukocytosis. Bacterial cultures revealed C violaceum, which demonstrated a characteristic purple pigment production on blood agar. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated, but 2 days after admission, the skin and subcutaneous tissue surrounding the patient’s wounds became necrotic, necessitating an above-the-knee amputation of the right lower extremity (transfemoral amputation). The patient’s condition improved after continued antimicrobial therapy and she was subsequently discharged in good health. This case represents a successful outcome of a rare but frequently fatal infection due to a morphologically and geographically distinct human pathogen.


 

Recommended Reading

CDC Relaunches Spanish Web site
MDedge Dermatology
HIV-Positive Patients Struggle With Weight Gain
MDedge Dermatology
Think the Worst With Neonatal Vesicles, Pustules
MDedge Dermatology
Vaccination Technique, Adolescents' Weight Should Influence Choice of Needle Length
MDedge Dermatology
CDC Announces Plans to Investigate Morgellons
MDedge Dermatology
'Fish Tank Granuloma' Can Mimic Staph Infection
MDedge Dermatology
Mumps Can Occur Even Among the Vaccinated, Recent Outbreak Proves
MDedge Dermatology
Two-Hour Blood Test for MRSA Approved by FDA
MDedge Dermatology
Outpatient Pediatric Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Polymorphous Clinical Disease
MDedge Dermatology
Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis in a Patient With a Solid Organ Transplant: Case Report and Review of the Literature
MDedge Dermatology