ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-03-19eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00224-25
James Lee, Matthew D Surette, Mary Czech, Adrian M Zelazny
{"title":"Are you for real, <i>Tsukamurella</i>? Novel <i>Tsukamurella</i> species isolated from a patient with primary myelofibrosis.","authors":"James Lee, Matthew D Surette, Mary Czech, Adrian M Zelazny","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00224-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00224-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Tsukamurella</i> species, often considered colonizers or contaminants, are increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and keratitis. Diagnosis of <i>Tsukamurella</i> pulmonary infections can be challenging. There are no established clinical guidelines due to the rarity of such infections, and accurate species-level identification of <i>Tsukamurella</i> remains difficult due to high interspecies similarities.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>A 64-year-old man with primary myelofibrosis presented for infectious disease evaluation prior to hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Although he had past tuberculosis (TB) exposure, he was asymptomatic, and chest CT was normal except for two stable left lower-lobe subpleural nodules noted earlier. Multiple respiratory cultures grew a modified acid-fast positive rod identified by MALDI-TOF MS and targeted sequencing as <i>Tsukamurella</i> spp., but further speciation was not possible, prompting whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that the isolate represented a novel <i>Tsukamurella</i> species, with 91.32% average nucleotide identity to its nearest relative, <i>Tsukamurella sputi</i>. Given the absence of clinical or radiographic disease, the findings were most consistent with colonization, and no treatment was initiated. Twenty-three days after culture collection, the patient underwent a reduced-intensity mismatched unrelated HCT without complications. Post-transplant, he showed no evidence of <i>Tsukamurella</i> infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite meeting microbiologic criteria for non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease, this case underscores that clinical and radiographic context is essential when interpreting <i>Tsukamurella</i> isolated from respiratory sources. Accurate species identification requires a tiered approach including MALDI-TOF MS and targeted sequencing. Determination of novel species requires WGS and appropriate bioinformatic analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142018/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-03-16eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00163-25
Sharon Pan, Kevin Yu, Blaine A Mathison, Yan Gao, Marc Roger Couturier, Salem Muayad, Violeta Chávez, Ranya Selim
{"title":"A rare case of gastric ascariasis.","authors":"Sharon Pan, Kevin Yu, Blaine A Mathison, Yan Gao, Marc Roger Couturier, Salem Muayad, Violeta Chávez, Ranya Selim","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00163-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00163-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ascariasis, caused by the parasitic roundworm <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i>, is one of the most common helminthic infections globally. Spread by contaminated soil through the fecal-oral route, <i>A. lumbricoides</i> typically infects the small intestine and has rarely been reported to infect the stomach.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>We describe an unusual case of a male in his 30s with a history of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) who immigrated from Colombia and who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for further evaluation of abdominal pain. He was incidentally found to have a female <i>Ascaris</i> worm in his stomach that was retrieved during the EGD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite its rarity, gastric ascariasis can cause various non-specific yet distressing gastrointestinal symptoms in patients, and therefore should be considered in those with risk factors for helminthic infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141863/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-03-11eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00233-25
John S Stevenson, Emily D Dyer, Paul D Fey, Trevor C Van Schooneveld, Michael R Wiley, Peter C Iwen, Ulrike Carlino-MacDonald, Thomas A Russo
{"title":"Two case reports on the identification and management of hypervirulent <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> isolated in Nebraska, USA.","authors":"John S Stevenson, Emily D Dyer, Paul D Fey, Trevor C Van Schooneveld, Michael R Wiley, Peter C Iwen, Ulrike Carlino-MacDonald, Thomas A Russo","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00233-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00233-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypervirulent <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (hvKp) is a globally emerging pathotype known for causing severe and disseminated infections across multiple organ systems. Diabetes is a risk factor for hvKp infection; however, otherwise healthy individuals from the community are also at risk.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>Two patients from Nebraska presented with complex abscesses of unknown origin. Both cases required interventional procedures and prolonged hospitalization. PCR-based testing, animal studies, and whole-genome sequencing analysis confirmed that hvKp was the offending pathotype.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This report describes the first confirmed cases of hvKp infection in Nebraska, USA. These cases demonstrated the utility of using molecular methods to identify hvKp. The microbiology lab can be operationalized to provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup of pathogens, inform the institutional clinical decision-making processes, and epidemiological surveillance. This study highlights the collaborative relationships between the Infectious Diseases staff and the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory to work up complex cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fatal systemic AA amyloidosis with pulmonary <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> infection: an autopsy case report.","authors":"Yui Takahashi, Shigeo Hanada, Hironori Uruga, Takayuki Tsujimoto, Eiyu Tsuboi, Hiroshi Nakahama, Yuichiro Nei, Takahiro Mitsumura, Atsushi Miyamoto, Meiyo Tamaoka","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00193-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00193-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Occurrences of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis secondary to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rare. Here, we report a fatal case of AA amyloidosis in a woman with pulmonary <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> infection, with autopsy confirming extensive amyloid deposition across multiple organs.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with pulmonary <i>M. avium</i> infection in 2018 but discontinued follow-up. In March 2022, she re-presented with disease progression and commenced standard oral therapy with daily clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol. After 12 months of therapy, her regimen was discontinued for 3 months due to persistent diarrhea. Upon resuming treatment, progressive weight loss persisted, leading to hospitalization in July 2023. On admission, she was severely underweight. Imaging revealed bilateral lung infiltrates with cavitary lesions. Laboratory evaluation showed elevated inflammatory markers, hypoalbuminemia, and sputum positive for acid-fast bacilli on smear and positive for <i>M. avium</i> by transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction and culture. Gastrointestinal biopsies showed AA amyloid deposits confirmed by direct fast scarlet staining and immunohistochemistry. Despite modified antibiotic regimens, her condition deteriorated, leading to CO₂ narcosis, multiorgan failure, and ultimately death at 123 days after admission. Autopsy confirmed extensive amyloid deposition and advanced pulmonary mycobacterial disease.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights a rare but severe presentation of systemic AA amyloidosis occurring with pulmonary <i>M. avium</i> infection, suggesting a possible association between uncontrolled <i>M. avium</i> infection and systemic AA amyloidosis development. In individuals with pulmonary NTM presenting with refractory diarrhea and weight loss, clinicians should consider AA amyloidosis and pursue appropriate biopsy investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-27eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00211-25
Tengfei Wang, Ma Rowena San Juan, Hosoon Choi, Munok Hwang, Chetan Jinadatha, Dhammika H Navarathna
{"title":"Septic arthritis caused by <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subspecies <i>zooepidemicus</i>: a case report.","authors":"Tengfei Wang, Ma Rowena San Juan, Hosoon Choi, Munok Hwang, Chetan Jinadatha, Dhammika H Navarathna","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00211-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00211-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Streptococcus equi</i> subspecies <i>zooepidemicus</i> (SESZ) is an uncommon zoonotic pathogen in humans but can cause severe joint infections. Reported cases are often linked to exposure to horses, dairy products, or raw pork, though infections may occur without an identifiable animal source.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>An 84-year-old man with multiple comorbidities presented with acute left shoulder pain, fever, and chills. Synovial fluid aspiration yielded turbid fluid containing calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, while Gram stain was negative. Despite empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, his symptoms persisted, requiring surgical irrigation and debridement. Cultures from the joint aspirate and drain revealed β-hemolytic, mucoid colonies of gram-positive cocci (Lancefield group C), identified as SESZ by Vitek 2, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and whole-genome sequencing. Interestingly, the isolate had an atypical biochemical phenotype, i.e., it could not ferment sorbitol. Antimicrobial therapy was changed to intravenous ceftriaxone according to susceptibility testing, resulting in subsequent clinical improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although rare, SESZ should be considered in the differential diagnosis of septic arthritis, particularly in elderly patients, even in the absence of clear zoonotic exposure. Timely recognition, adequate surgical drainage, and prolonged targeted antimicrobial therapy are essential for favorable outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-27eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00058-25
Hope Winfield, Nicole Edmonds, Wilson Omesiete, Richard Flowers, Amy Mathers, Emily Snavely
{"title":"<i>Trichophyton indotineae</i> in Virginia: diagnostic identification and case report.","authors":"Hope Winfield, Nicole Edmonds, Wilson Omesiete, Richard Flowers, Amy Mathers, Emily Snavely","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00058-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00058-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Trichophyton indotineae</i> is an emerging <i>Trichophyton</i> species associated with extensive dermatophytosis frequently demonstrating terbinafine resistance. While early cases were reported in South Asia, <i>T. indotineae</i> has since spread globally, with several cases reported in the United States since 2023. To our knowledge, we describe the first cases reported in Virginia.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>Patients A and B each presented to the dermatology clinic with a diffuse, pruritic rash unresponsive to previous courses of topical and antifungal therapy. Both presentations raised concern for <i>T. indotineae</i> infection, which was confirmed with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genome sequencing of isolates from the lesions. Both patients were initially prescribed an 8-week course of itraconazole 200 mg daily. Patient A required an additional month of treatment, but both patients had improved at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present cases highlight several key points regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of <i>T. indotineae</i> infections, including continued expansion within the US, the need for ITS sequencing to distinguish <i>T. indotineae</i> from <i>Trichophyton mentagrophytes</i> and <i>Trichophyton interdigitale</i>, and the growing role of oral itraconazole as first-line therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13148180/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-26eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00217-25
Shaindel Minkowski, Gaëlle Cuzon, Thomas Droit, Lélia Escaut, Agnès B Jousset
{"title":"Recurrent <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> urinary tract infection in a young adult with end-stage renal insufficiency: a case report.","authors":"Shaindel Minkowski, Gaëlle Cuzon, Thomas Droit, Lélia Escaut, Agnès B Jousset","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00217-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00217-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Pasteurella multocida</i> is a gram-negative coccobacillus that colonizes the oropharyngeal and digestive tract of animals, particularly cats and dogs. It is commonly associated with mucocutaneous and osteoarticular infections.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>We report the case of a 25-year-old man with a history of obstructive uropathy and end-stage renal disease awaiting transplantation, who presented to the emergency department twice, 8 months apart, with afebrile back pain. On each admission, urine cultures grew <i>Pasteurella multocida</i>. Whole-genome sequencing of both isolates revealed only two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, supporting a recurrence caused by the same strain. He was treated with injections of ceftriaxone followed by fluoroquinolones for a total of 14 days. Further history revealed frequent cat bites and scratches in the household. Previously published cases of urinary tract infections due to <i>Pasteurella</i> sp. involved most often patients with underlying urological abnormalities. Contact with a pet was not consistently reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case underscores that <i>P. multocida</i> can cause recurrent urinary tract infection in immunocompromised patients with pet contact.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141872/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-24eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00241-25
Sally Lin, Alexandria Martindale, Kelly Waters, Candy Rutherford, Marek Smieja
{"title":"Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection presenting with genitourinary symptoms in a sexually active adolescent.","authors":"Sally Lin, Alexandria Martindale, Kelly Waters, Candy Rutherford, Marek Smieja","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00241-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00241-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) manifests with symptoms of sore throat, fevers, fatigue, and cervical lymphadenopathy. We identified no case reports in the literature of primary EBV infection presenting with genitourinary symptoms, although epidemiologic data suggest that it could be sexually transmitted.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>A young, sexually active Canadian woman with recent travel to Central America presented for medical attention with pain on urination, acute painful inguinal lymphadenopathy, rectal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. She was assessed by consultants in Gynecology and Infectious Diseases. She had laboratory and diagnostic imaging to investigate for sexually transmitted diseases and acute hepatitis. A gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound found no evidence of pelvic inflammatory disease. She tested negative for urinary tract infection and for common sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and hepatitis A, B, and C. We documented a positive heterophile antibody test for mononucleosis, significant vaginal viral shedding of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA, and EBV seroconversion indicative of primary EBV infection. Symptoms slowly resolved over 4-12 weeks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case presentation demonstrates genitourinary symptoms as an initial clinical manifestation of primary EBV infection and suggests that EBV may be sexually acquired.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141826/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-24eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00237-25
Aude Vasselin, Victor Scavazzin, Jean-Philippe Talarmin, Claudie Lamoureux, Marion Pérès, Hervé Le Bars, Marie-Sarah Fangous, Clémence Beauruelle, Séverine Ansart, Geneviève Héry-Arnaud
{"title":"<i>Granulicatella adiacens</i> infective endocarditis in pregnancy: diagnostic contribution of metagenomic sequencing-a case report.","authors":"Aude Vasselin, Victor Scavazzin, Jean-Philippe Talarmin, Claudie Lamoureux, Marion Pérès, Hervé Le Bars, Marie-Sarah Fangous, Clémence Beauruelle, Séverine Ansart, Geneviève Héry-Arnaud","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00237-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00237-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Granulicatella adiacens</i> is a fastidious Gram-positive coccus and is a rare but recognized cause of infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis during pregnancy is uncommon but carries substantial maternal and fetal risk. Plasma metagenomic analysis of microbial cell-free DNA has emerged as a complementary diagnostic tool in culture-negative infections.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>We describe a 35-year-old pregnant woman with known mitral valve prolapse who presented at 21 weeks of gestation with an acute ischemic stroke. Initial etiological work-up, including transesophageal echocardiography, was unremarkable. Ten days later, she re-presented with left-arm pain and neurologic symptoms. Repeat echocardiography revealed multiple mitral vegetations compatible with infective endocarditis. Despite multiple sets of prolonged-incubation blood cultures and extensive serological testing, all microbiological investigations remained negative. Empirical intravenous ceftriaxone was initiated based on the working diagnosis of HACEK endocarditis. A plasma metagenomic cell-free DNA test ultimately identified <i>G. adiacens</i>, which was suspected to have entered the body through dental treatment received a few weeks earlier. Ceftriaxone was continued given the favorable clinical response, with vegetation resolution, troponin decline, and uncomplicated term delivery of a healthy infant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges of culture-negative infective endocarditis in pregnancy and underscores the value of plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing as a complementary tool when conventional methods fail. It also emphasizes the need to repeat echocardiography when clinical suspicion remains high and raises the question of antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk dental procedures in pregnant women with underlying valvular heart disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ASM case reportsPub Date : 2026-02-23eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00153-25
Maya Polashenski, Michael J Perry, Abhimanyu Aggarwal
{"title":"Critical role of empiric antitoxin therapy in suspected <i>Clostridium baratii</i> infection: a case report.","authors":"Maya Polashenski, Michael J Perry, Abhimanyu Aggarwal","doi":"10.1128/asmcr.00153-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/asmcr.00153-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Clostridium baratii</i> infections, though rare, can result in life-threatening botulism due to the production of botulinum neurotoxin. The rapid administration of antitoxin is the cornerstone of treatment to mitigate neurological damage and prevent mortality. Given the difficulty in obtaining rapid diagnostic confirmation, empiric administration of antitoxin is often justified.</p><p><strong>Case summary: </strong>This paper describes a case of <i>C. baratii</i> infection with complete recovery after empiric treatment with antitoxin prior to confirmatory testing returning. Additionally, this manuscript explores the pathophysiology of <i>C. baratii</i>, the diagnostic challenges, and the rationale for early empiric antitoxin therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The nonspecific nature of early symptoms of botulism necessitates a high degree of clinical vigilance and preparedness. This case highlights the need for including botulism in the differential diagnosis for abnormal neuromuscular presentations and how rapid empiric therapy can be lifesaving.</p>","PeriodicalId":521101,"journal":{"name":"ASM case reports","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}