A Pediatric Case of Septic Pulmonary Embolism Caused by Tsukamurella paurometabola

Intern Med. 2023 Oct 15;62(20):3069-3073. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1444-22. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Abstract

We herein report a three-year-old boy with septic pulmonary embolism caused by Tsukamurella paurometabola bacteremia during chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma. During the interval of chemotherapy, the patient was temporarily discharged with a peripherally inserted central venous catheter but was re-admitted to the hospital with a fever on the same day. A blood culture taken at the time of re-admission showed T. paurometabola. The patient had a persistent fever, and computed tomography performed on the ninth day showed septic pulmonary embolism. We stress the importance of being aware of the possibility of septic pulmonary embolism in patients with Tsukamurella bacteremia.

Keywords: Tsukamurella bacteremia; septic embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria*
  • Bacteremia* / complications
  • Catheterization, Central Venous* / adverse effects
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / etiology
  • Sepsis* / complications

Supplementary concepts

  • Tsukamurella paurometabola