Chromobacterium violaceum: a case of diarrhea in Senegal

Abstract

A 5-year-old infant with diarrhea had heavy growth of Chromobacterium violaceum cultured from stool. This organism is restricted geographically between latitudes 35 degrees N and 35 degrees S. It can cause sepsis and various focal infections but is not a well-known cause of diarrhea.

First pediatric case of Chromobacterium haemolyticum causing proctocolitis

“…such as C. violaceum have been shown to cause diarrhea symptoms in children living in countries with a tropical climate. 3,4 The present patient initially did not respond to i.v. antibiotics that should cover common organisms causing dysentery in this geographic location.…”

Ecthyma gangrenosum and septic shock syndrome secondary to Chromobacterium violaceum

“…19 C violaceum infection typically begins with exposure of broken skin to contaminated water or soil, followed by cellulitis and, often, the development of lymphadenitis, cutaneous lesions, and visceral abscesses 22 (most commonly of the liver, kidney, and lungs). 10,23,24 Other clinical presentations have included urinary tract infection, 12 gastroenteritis, 12 osteomyelitis, 25 meningitis, 26,27 diarrhea, 28,29 sinusitis, and orbital cellulitis. [30][31][32] Reported time between exposure and presentation of symptoms has ranged from 1 day to 2 months.…”

Successful treatment of Chromobacterium violaceum sepsis in South Africa

“…These bacteria are considered to be environmental organisms, occurring in water and soil in subtropical to tropical areas, but are not part of the normal flora of humans (Teoh et al, 2006). Most cases have been described in South-East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia) and in the south-eastern USA (Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina) (Dromigny et al, 2002;Onile et al, 1984). In the immunocompetent patient this organism is usually nonpathogenic.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, C. violaceum infection, pigmented or nonpigmented has never been described in South Africa and infection with the non-pigmented strain has never been described in Africa. Infection with the pigmented strain has been described in a case of gastro-enteritis with septicaemia in a young female from western Nigeria, as well as in a child with diarrhoea from Senegal (Onile et al, 1984;Dromigny et al, 2002). More recently, a disturbing increase in cases of neonatal septicaemia due to C. violaceum has been noted in a teaching hospital in southeastern Nigeria, which was attributed to a lack of a public water supply (Anah et al, 2008).…”