Intravenous line infection due to Ochrobactrum anthropi (CDC Group Vd) in a normal host

• Published in: Heart & lung Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 335 - 336
• Main Authors: Gill, M.Vanessa, Ly, Hue, Mueenuddin, Mian, Schoch, Paul E., Cunha, Burke A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: St. Louis, MO Mosby, Inc 01.07.1997; Mosby
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Coronary Artery Bypass; Cross Infection - transmission; Emergency and intensive care: techniques, logistics; Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - transmission; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Perfusions. Catheterizations. Hyperbaric oxygenotherapy; Postoperative Complications; Infection; Case study; Human; Catheterization; Bacteriosis; Complication; Superinfection; Vein; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0147-9563; 1527-3288
• DOI: 10.1016/S0147-9563(97)90092-3

Ochrobactrum anthropi, formerly known as Achromobacter species (CDC group Vd), is an aerobic, gramnegative bacillus widely distributed in aquatic environments. Most important, it has been implicated as a cause of intravenous line infection in immunocompromised hosts with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and aminoglycosides are usually active against O. anthropi, but this organism is usually resistant to β-lactam antibiotics. Because O. anthropi is a low-virulence organism, patients with intravenous-line infections have been cured without removal of the intravenous catheter. We describe a case of intravenous-line infection in a normal host that was successfully resolved after catheter removal. (Heart Lung® 1997; 26: 335-6)