SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Big Bad Bacteria: A Sickling Case of Ochrobactrum

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This case report describes a 26-year-old man with sickle cell disease who presented in vaso-occlusive crisis but was also febrile and tachycardic, raising concern for sepsis. Blood cultures obtained on admission later grew the rare organism <em>Ochrobactrum anthropi</em>, a pathogen previously associated with immunocompromised patients and indwelling medical devices. The patient had a chronic chest port for recurrent crises, which was identified as the likely source of bacteremia.

He was started promptly on antibiotics, and once cultures identified the organism, the chest port was removed on hospital day 3. After source control, the bacteremia resolved. A new chemo-port was subsequently placed, and he was discharged with oral antibiotics to complete a 14-day total course. He also had a history of receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics during four prior crises.

The report emphasizes several key clinical points: sepsis requires rapid recognition and treatment, with mortality increasing with each hour of delay; source control is critical in reducing adverse outcomes; and persistent foreign bodies should be considered potential infection niduses even when there are no obvious localizing signs. The authors also highlight the importance of antibiotic stewardship, since rare organisms like <em>O. anthropi</em> may develop complex resistance patterns that require careful tailoring of therapy.

Overall, this case underscores that unusual pathogens can cause bloodstream infections in patients with long-term implantable devices and that early cultures, prompt antibiotics, and timely device removal are essential for effective management.

Asset Subtitle

Dwight H. Fan

Meta Tag

Author List Aimen S. Khan, Dwight H. Fan, Muhammed Zohaib Ghatala, Taimur Bayar-Masood

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Sepsis

Concept Early Identification

Concept Antibiotic Therapy

Concept Source Control

Concept Removal

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Bayhealth Medical Center

Presenting Author Dwight H. Fan

Track Adult

Keywords

sickle cell disease

vaso-occlusive crisis

sepsis

Ochrobactrum anthropi

bacteremia

chest port

indwelling medical device

source control

antibiotic stewardship

bloodstream infection

Sepsis

Early Identification

Antibiotic Therapy

Source Control

Removal