Early onset fulminant neonatal sepsis and multiple serous effusions caused by Pantoea agglomerans in an extremely preterm neonate.

Pantoea agglomerans is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly isolated from environmental sources such as plants and soil. Infections in humans are usually reported following penetrating wounds or in hospital settings due to contaminated medical equipment. Neonatal sepsis caused by this organism is rare. Late onset sepsis in neonatal intensive care units due to contaminated parenteral nutrition solutions has been reported. This case report describes early onset sepsis due to P agglomerans in an extremely preterm neonate, with no known maternal risk factors. The patient had a fulminant clinical course, multiorgan involvement and multiple serous cavity effusions. Timely antibiotics, supportive treatment and the use of neonatologist-performed bedside point-of-care ultrasound played an important role in management of complications and survival.