First case report of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens bacteremia in an HIV-infected patient in Taiwan - Molecular identification from a positive blood culture bottle.

ABSTRACT

Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped anaerobe, that is a rare but potentially lethal cause of bacteremia in humans, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. We reported a 69-year-old HIV-infected male presenting with dysphagia, odynophagia and fulminant pneumonia who died. In addition, in a literature review, we summarized the characteristics of 19 adult patients with A. succiniciproducens bacteremia, which were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry or molecular methods. Among those, the presentation of gastrointestinal conditions was the only independent risk factor for mortality. Clinicians should be aware of this pathogen, especially when a culture is negative but a Gram stain reveals gram-negative spiral-shaped bacteria.