Chromobacterium violaceum infection in two dogs.
Chromobacterium violaceum is a saprophyte of soil and water in tropical and subtropical environments that is associated with rare but highly fatal infections in animals and humans. Systemic infection was diagnosed in two critically ill dogs from Florida. Fever was absent in both dogs. Both dogs were treated surgically and provided with intensive care, but only one survived. The identification of characteristic, violet-pigmented bacterial colonies on routine microbial cultures should alert microbiologists and clinicians to the likelihood of this dangerous pathogen. Because of the rapidly progressive nature of this infection, empirical antibiotic administration with fluoroquinolones should be employed pending susceptibility testing.
Crosse
Patricia A
PA
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Soares
Karen
K
Wheeler
Jason L
JL
Cooke
Kirsten L
KL
Adin
Chris A
CA
O'Kelley
Jeffrey J
JJ
Levy
Julie Kay
JK
D000818:Animals; D002861:Chromobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male