Sepsis secondary to multifocal Enterococcus faecium infection: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Nosocomial Enterococcus faecium (E faecium) infections are common among immunocompromised patients; however, sepsis caused by E faecium is rarely encountered in the clinical setting.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 69-year-old woman with a previous history of tuberculosis (TB), developed symptoms of recurrent fever, paroxysmal cough, and exertional dyspnea for over 2 months before she presented to the hospital.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was initially misdiagnosed with recurrent TB, and did not respond to anti-TB therapy. Culture results of blood, endotracheal necrotic tissue, and urine confirmed a diagnosis of multifocal E faecium infection.

INTERVENTIONS

On definitive diagnosis, the patient received intensive antimicrobial combination treatment with linezolid, teicoplanin, caspofungin, and voriconazole on the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility results.

OUTCOMES

After transient improvement, the patient's condition deteriorated due to secondary infections, and the patient died after discharge against medical advice.

CONCLUSION

E faecium bacteremia may cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients, and has a high mortality rate. Careful pathogen detection and early initiation of treatment is crucial to good patient outcome.