A fatal case of pulmonary chromobacterium violaceum infection in an adult.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram negative, facultative anaerobic coccobacillus. Human infections are rare and usually occur after exposure to contaminated soil or water. Infections can present with fulminant septicemia, multiple abscesses and rapidly spreading soft tissue infections. Here we present a fatal case of pulmonary Chromobacterium violaceum infection following aspiration of drain water. Treatment with fluroquinolones in combination with either co-trimoxazole or amikacin has been described in successfully treated cases.