Chromobacterium violaceum in Northern Australia: A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing?

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Oct;99(4):844-848. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0311.

Abstract

In many parts of the world, the case-fatality rate of Chromobacterium violaceum infection approaches 60%. To evaluate the spectrum of disease associated with C. violaceum in Far North Queensland (FNQ), Australia, we reviewed all culture-confirmed isolates from 1997 to 2017. There were 28 isolates, 15 represented infection, 11 were contaminants, and two charts were destroyed preventing detailed evaluation of these cases. The most common sites of infection were the skin and soft tissue and the urinary tract; there were two cases of bacteremia without focus. There were no deaths attributable to C. violaceum during the study period and only two cases required intensive care unit support, although in both patients this was not for the C. violaceum infection, but for the management of other health issues. Globally, C. violaceum has a reputation as a deadly pathogen, but in FNQ, Australia, infections usually follow a relatively benign course.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Blood Culture
  • Child
  • Chromobacterium / drug effects
  • Chromobacterium / growth & development
  • Chromobacterium / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / diagnosis
  • Soft Tissue Infections / drug therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / epidemiology*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / microbiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents