Bacteremia due to Rhodococcus equi：a case report and review of the literature

• Published in: Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science Vol. 10; no. 12; pp. 933 - 936
• Main Authors: Chen, Xi-yuan, Xu, Feng, Xia, Jing-yan, Cheng, Yu-sheng, Yang, Yan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg SP Zhejiang University Press 01.12.2009; Springer Nature B.V; Zhejiang University Press
• Series: Case Report
• Subjects: Actinomycetales Infections - diagnosis; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacteremia; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Case Report; Case reports; Cirrhosis; Corticoids; Corynebacterium equi; Diabetes mellitus; Grazing; Humans; Immunocompromised hosts; Infection; Infections; Liver; Liver cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Rhodococcus equi; Rhodococcus equi - metabolism; Skin; Skin Transplantation - adverse effects; Surgery; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vancomycin; Vancomycin - pharmacology; 人畜共患病; 微生物特征; 放牧动物; 棒状杆菌; 病例报告; 马红球菌; Bacteremia; Opportunistic pathogen; R51
• ISSN: 1673-1581; 1862-1783; 1862-1783
• DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B0920214

Rhodococcus equi, previously known as Corynebacterium equi, is one of the most important causes of zoonotic infections in grazing animals. Increased cases of human infection with R. equi have been reported, especially in immunocompromised patients, within recent years. We present a case of R. equi bacteremia in a 51-year-old man with diabetes and liver cirrhosis, on long-term corticosteroid therapy after skin-grafting surgery. The patient recovered soon after he was treated with vancomycin. This review focuses on the microbiological characteristics of this organism, and the diagnosis and treatment of this infection.