Achromobacter xylosoxidans Purulent Bronchitis in a Previously Healthy Child: An Unexpected Consequence of COVID-19 Infection

Nusa Matijasic; Ana Tripalo Batos; Jasna Lenicek Krleza; Marijana Rogulj; Ivan Pavic

doi:10.7759/cureus.21711

Achromobacter xylosoxidans Purulent Bronchitis in a Previously Healthy Child: An Unexpected Consequence of COVID-19 Infection

Cureus. 2022 Jan 29;14(1):e21711. doi: 10.7759/cureus.21711. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Authors

Nusa Matijasic¹, Ana Tripalo Batos², Jasna Lenicek Krleza³, Marijana Rogulj⁴, Ivan Pavic^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, HRV.
² Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, HRV.
³ Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, HRV.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, HRV.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, HRV.
⁶ School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, HRV.

Abstract

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an aerobic, Gram-negative rod with a broad intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance, usually isolated in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), immunodeficiencies, or those undergoing invasive procedures. We report a case of a previously healthy 14-year-old girl who was hospitalized in our institution due to a prolonged, progressive cough and exertional dyspnea, which started after a mild viral respiratory tract infection. To elucidate the cause of her symptoms, a bronchoscopy was finally performed, showing bilateral purulent bronchitis caused by A. xylosoxidans, isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample. Since the patient had positive serological testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we concluded that it was the initial viral infection, although of a mild clinical course, the one that created favorable conditions for proliferation and further inflammation caused by A. xylosoxidans.

Keywords: achromobacter; bronchitis; covid-19; purulent; xylosoxidans.

Publication types

Case Reports