Affiliations: Division of Infectious Diseases, Lehigh Valley
Infectious Disease Services of the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA,
USA | Health Network Laboratories, Allentown, PA, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Ryann E. Morrison, PA-C, Lehigh Valley
Infectious Disease Specialists, 18103, Allentown, PA, USA. Tel.: +1 610 402
8430; Fax: +1 610 402 1676; E-mail: ryann.morrison@lvh.com
Abstract: Rhodococcus equi is an emerging pathogen among immunocompromised
hosts. Increased incidence has been described in the human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome population, patients
immunocompromised due to organ transplantation and in those receiving
chemotherapy. Features associated with this case included a sustained
bacteremia and delay in recognition of the clinical syndrome due to the
intermittent positivity of the blood cultures and initial mis-identification of
the organism as a "coryneform" contaminant. The patient was successfully
treated with an oral antibiotic regimen after removal of the central
catheter.
