A distinct cause of necrotizing fasciitis: Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria.

BACKGROUND

Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria (veronii var. sobria) has not been implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis in North America.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

An 80-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and acute myeloblastic leukemia developed a rapidly spreading skin and soft tissue infection of the right lower extremity pathognomonic for necrotizing fasciitis with signs of sepsis. Cultures grew Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria. Despite aggressive management, including an urgent right below-knee amputation, this patient died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

A. veronii var. sobria should be recognized as one of the causative organisms for necrotizing fasciitis in immunocompromised patients. Early administration of proper antibiotics and aggressive surgical treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality rates in such infections.