Background: Aeromonas species are uncommon pathogens in biliary sepsis and cause substantial mortality in patients with impaired hepatobiliary function. Asia has the highest incidence of infection from Aeromonas, whereas cases in the west are rare.
Case summary: We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with advanced pancreatic cancer and jaundice who manifested fever, abdominal pain, severe thrombocytopenia, anemia and kidney failure following the insertion of a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Blood culture results revealed the presence of Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii (A. veronii biovar veronii). After antibiotic therapy and transfusions, the life-threatening clinical conditions of the patient improved and she was discharged.
Conclusion: This was a rare case of infection, probably the first to be reported in West countries, caused by A. veronii biovar veronii following biliary drainage. A finding of Aeromonas must alert clinician to the possibility of severe sepsis.
Keywords: Aeromonas; Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii; Biliary tract infection; Case report; Cholangitis; Pancreatic cancer; Sepsis.