Agrobacterium radiobacter bacteremia in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
BACKGROUND
Agrobacteria are Gram-negative tumorigenic plant pathogens that rarely cause infections in humans.


METHODS
The authors describe a 7-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who carried a central venous catheter and developed bacteremia due to Agrobacterium radiobacter (A. radiobacter).


RESULTS
Microbiological cure was achieved after administration of systemic ceftriaxone along with gentamicin lock therapy to the central venous catheter for 10 days. Catheter removal was not required, and the patient has not relapsed with bacteremia due to the same pathogen for more than 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A. radiobacter is an emerging pathogen affecting immunocompromised children, particularly those with leukemia who carry central venous catheters. Although it has a low virulence, erratic susceptibility patterns, and high frequency of resistance to many antibiotics, ceftriaxone appears to be successful in treatment of most cases. Catheter removal for the clearance of bloodstream infections due to A. radiobacter may not be required in selected patients like the present case.
Mantadakis
Elpis
E
Department of Pediatrics, Democritus University of Thrace and University District Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece.
Kondi
Anna
A
Christidou
Athanassia
A
Kalmanti
Maria
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002443:Ceftriaxone