Postcholecystectomy surgical site infection by Salmonella enterica var. Weltevreden.
BACKGROUND
Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most common complication of gastrointestinal surgery. The most common endogenous organisms encountered are the enteric pathogens.


METHODS
We report a rare case of S. enterica var. Weltevreden as a cause of SSI after cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration. Pertinent literature is reviewed.


RESULTS
The infection was due to bile spillage and contamination during surgery. The organism was found to be sensitive only to imipenem, and the patient recovered following intravenous treatment with that carbapenem.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the fact that cholecystectomy with bile spillage is a definite risk factor for SSI. Although controversial, isolation of the pathogen from the bile and the surgical site must be made to allow this rare pathogen to be identified. Appropriate antibiotic could then be directed against the pathogen.
Ashok
Rangaiahagari
R
Department of Microbiology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Anuradha
Kancharla
K
Lakshmi
Vemu
V
Kumar
Ananda
A
Bheerappa
Nagari
N
Sastry
Regulagadda Adikesava
RA
D001646:Bile / Q000382:microbiology; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology*