Sphingomonas paucimobilis septicaemia in a tertiary care hospital in Nigeria: a case report

Abstract

Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an opportunistic pathogen that occurs naturally in the environment. It has been implicated in both community acquired and healthcare associated infections. Sphingomonas paucimobilis septicaemia is commonly associated with contamination from the environment, the use of hospital and laboratory equipment, indwelling urinary catheters and intravenous cannula. Literature search for Sphingomonas paucimobilis septicaemia revealed several case reports documented globally with only a single case report from Nigeria detected by VITEK 2. We report a case of Sphingomonas paucimobilis septicaemia in 38-year-old unbooked 21 woman, P1+2(1A), admitted into the accident and emergency unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, with complaints of fever, abdominal pain and distension, generalized body pain and difficulty in breathing, of six days post Caesarean section. Blood culture yielded Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Antibiotics were commenced at admission and exploratory laparotomy done seven days post presentation. However, patient died on day fourteen due to cardiopulmonary arrest.