Sepsis Due to Ignatzschineria ureiclastica Caused by Maggot-Infested Wounds in a Homeless Man in Germany: a Case Report

Abstract

The gram-negative rod bacteria Ignatzschineria inhabits the digestive tract of larvae and adult forms of flesh flies and mostly causes bloodstream infections in animals, but rarely in humans with chronic wounds. This is the second case report of sepsis due to Ignatzschineria ureiclastica worldwide and the first reported case of Ignatzschineria species in Germany. We present a case report of 57-year-old homeless male with chronic leg and foot ulcers with maggot infestation. Blood cultures revealed gram-negative rod bacteria, which later could be identified by 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Ignatzschineria ureiclastica. Intravenous antibiotic treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam and later oral ciprofloxacin as well as local wound management lead to complete wound healing. Blood cultures of patients with chronic wounds and maggot infestation should be analyzed with 16S rRNA sequence analysis when commercial-automated devices lead to indecisive results. Live and preserved samples of insect infestation should be acquired for further entomological characterization. Susceptibility testing of rare pathogens should be performed and published. Antibiotic treatment of bloodstream infections due to Ignatzschineria species with ampicillin/sulbactam showed good clinical outcome.