Two siblings with fatal Chromobacterium violaceum sepsis linked to drinking water.
Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative organism found in water and soil. C. violaceum is not usually pathogenic in humans; only approximately 150 human cases have been reported worldwide. C. violaceum bacteraemia progresses rapidly, leading to fatal sepsis on dissemination to multiple organs within a short time. We describe two cases of fatal septicaemia caused by C. violaceum in siblings. Our initial impression was that these cases were associated with an undiagnosed immunodeficiency in the siblings. However, detailed patient histories revealed a potential underlying immunodeficiency in only one patient. These findings prompted us to investigate possible environmental exposure. We identified C. violaceum in filtered water that was sold to the family at a nearby store. This discovery led to a public health alert and closer scrutiny of similar stores by the Ministry of Health.
Department of Paediatrics, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital Royal Medical Services, West Riffa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain.
Salman Mohammed
SM
Al Khalifa
Department of Paediatrics, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital Royal Medical Services, West Riffa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain.
Turki
T
Al Khaldi
Department of Internal Medicine, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital Royal Medical Services, West Riffa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain.
Manaf Mohammed
MM
Alqahtani
Training and Development Directorate, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital Royal Medical Services, West Riffa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain.
Ahmed Mohamed
AM
Al Ansari
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002861:Chromobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D035781:Siblings; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D060766:Drinking Water