Empedobacter brevis Bacteremia in a Patient Infected with HIV: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract EN

Clinical disease caused by Empedobacter brevis (E.

brevis) is very rare.

We report the first case of E.

brevis bacteremia in a patient with HIV and review the current literature.

A 69-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and CD4 count of 319 presented with chief complaints of black tarry stools, nausea and vomiting for 2 days.

Physical exam was significant for abdominal pain on palpation with no rebound or guarding.

His total leukocyte count was 32,000 cells/μL with 82% neutrophils and 9% bands.

Emergent colonoscopy and endoscopic esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed esophageal candidiasis, a nonbleeding gastric ulcer, and diverticulosis.

Blood cultures drawn on days 1, 2, and 3 of hospitalization grew E.

brevis.

Patient improved with intravenous antibiotics.

This case is unusual, raising the possibility of gastrointestinal colonization as a source of the patient’s bacteremia.

In conclusion, E.

brevis is an emerging pathogen that can cause serious health care associated infections.