Rapid dilatation of mycotic aneurysm of dissecting aorta caused by Edwardsiella tarda

Abstract

Edwardsiella tarda is a gram-negative bacillus that is typically found in freshwater environments and the feces of reptiles. A 48-year-old woman with Marfan's syndrome presented to our hospital with fever, nausea, and general fatigue. She had previously undergone a mechanical Bentall procedure and total aortic arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection. E tarda was identified from the blood culture. Computed tomography scanning revealed a mycotic aneurysm of the dissecting descending aorta. Despite appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy, the aneurysm dilated rapidly. Thus, an emergency surgery was performed to replace the descending aorta with a graft that was surrounded by a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Her postoperative course was uneventful.