Title : Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica bacteremia: A rare case of a male with maggot-infested lower extremity wounds
Abstract:
Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica (W. chitiniclastica) is an emerging gram-negative bacillus rarely found in patients presenting with fly myiasis or parasitic larvae infection. Here, we present the case of a 58-year-old male who presented with W. chitiniclastica bacteremia from lower extremity wounds complicated by fly larvae infestation. Blood cultures were analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, which identified W. chitiniclastica. The patient was treated with empiric antibiotic therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam and de-escalated to ceftriaxone. We discuss the potential impact of environmental interactions with zoonotic vectors and the concern for the increasing incidence of this new emerging zoonotic infection. This appears to be the first reported case of W. chitiniclastica bacteremia in the southern United States and demonstrates a growing list of climates and locations in which this organism can be present. Further evaluation of potential vectors for W. chitiniclastica continues to be a priority for how cases are distributed and can present in patients.
Audience Take Away:
- It is important for providers to recognize Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica as a rare pathogen directly linked to myiasis
- Providers will need to be aware of the risk factors associated with this disease
- More research will need to be done with regards to alternative routes of transmission of this pathogen
- This is an emerging zoonotic infection which may be influenced by human interaction with flies and variations in climate
