Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteremia with pneumopathy in a patient receiving eculizumab: A case report

Anaerobe. 2020 Feb:61:102099. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102099. Epub 2019 Sep 9.

Abstract

Fusobacterium nucleatum is a common oral commensal bacterium capable of severe invasive infections. We report a case of a diffuse bilateral pneumopathy with F. nucleatum-positive blood culture successfully treated by common antibiotics in a patient receiving eculizumab for a drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). It is the first described case of a severe F. nucleatum-associated infection in a patient undergoing terminal complement inhibitor therapy. We suggest providing preventive dental care before eculizumab initiation.

Keywords: Eculizumab; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Periodontitis; Pneumopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Anus Neoplasms / complications
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / etiology*
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / adverse effects
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fusobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Fusobacterium Infections / etiology*
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Complement Inactivating Agents
  • eculizumab