Recurrent non‐0:1 Vibrio cholerae bacteremia in a patient with multiple myeloma

Abstract

Background. Episodes of bacteremia with non‐0:1 Vibrio cholerae are rarely reported, even though the organism is endemic along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Recurrent episodes of bacteremia with non‐0:1 V. cholerae are described even more rarely. A patient is reported who had multiple myeloma and experienced two episodes of bacteremia with non‐0:1 V. cholerae. Methods. Hospital records and the medical literature were reviewed, and the organism was serotyped by the Alabama State Laboratory. Results. The patient had no prodromal illnesses or diarrhea with either episode of bacteremia. Treatment with empiric antibiotic therapy resulted in successful resolution of his bacteremia, which is fatal in almost 50% of reported cases in patients with malignant neoplasms. Conclusions. This is the first reported case of non‐Oil V. cholerae bacteremia occurring in a patient with multiple myeloma. Both his initial episode and a second episode of bacteremia responded to broad‐spectrum antibiotics, which are used as empiric therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies and fever. Emphasis is placed on the paucity of clinical manifestations and the need for empiric therapy for non‐0:1 V. cholerae infection in patients with hematologic malignancies. Cancer 1993; 72:105–107. Copyright © 1993 American Cancer Society