Fatal Wound Infection by Chromobacterium violaceum after Open Ankle Fracture Surgery / 계명의대학술지

ABSTRACT

Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) is a gram negative, facultative anaerobe widely distributed in natural aquatic environments and is sensitive to temperature. Its infection has a predilection to tropical or subtropical regions that between latitude 35degrees N and 35degrees S. Infection due to C. violaceum is rare. But human infection with this organism can result in severe, systemic disease with a high fatality rate. C. violaceum infection may rapidly progress to sepsis with multiple organ abscesses, predominantly in lungs, liver, and spleen. The organism is usually resistant to most antibiotics commonly prescribed for gram-negative bacterial infection like aminoglycosides, extended spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics etc. In Korea, two cases of C. violaceum infections were reported in patients injured in a Guam airplane accident, and one case was reported local C. violaceum infection. Here, we report a case of fatal C. violaceum postoperative wound infection in Korea.