Bacteroides fragilis: A Case Study of Bacteremia and Septic Arthritis

Tareese M. Martin; Hassan Aziz

doi:10.29074/ascls.22.3.131

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Tareese M. Martin⇑
1. is a medical technologist at Self Regional Healthcare, Gray Court SC
Hassan Aziz, Ph.D., CLS (NCA)
1. is Department Head of Medical Technology, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA

Address for Correspondence: Tareese M. Martin, Medical Technologist, Self Regional Healthcare, Greenwood SC, 231 JMM Lane, Gray Court SC 29645, (864) 682-0055, Email: tmmartin1521{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

A 67-year-old African-American male presented with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and knee pain. Four sets of blood cultures were collected and resulted in the growth of Bacteroides fragilis in all anaerobic bottles. Later, a fluid and tissue sample from the patient's knee grew the same species of bacteria. The patient was placed on intravenous antibiotics to fight the infection.

ABBREVIATIONS: CT = computerized tomography; NIDDK = National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; PMNs = polymorphonuclear neutrophils; BUN = blood urea nitrogen; CBC = complete blood count; BAP = blood agar plate; BBE = Bacteroides bile esculin; Ref = Reference; Adm = Admission; C = critical result; NA = not applicable; BCC = blood cultures collected