Aeromonas Pneumonia in a Trauma Patient Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Aeromonas species, particularly Aeromonas hydrophila, cause a wide spectrum of diseases in human being such as gastroenteritis; soft tissue infections including necrotizing fasciitis, meningitis, peritonitis, and bacteremia; but pneumonia and respiratory tract infections are uncommon. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 30-year-old victim of a motor vehicle crash sustained pelvic fractures and splenic injury. Delayed splenic rupture caused sudden cardiorespiratory arrest. The patient was resuscitated but suffered septic shock and severe hypoxemia refractory to advanced mechanical ventilatory strategies. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated as the causative pathogen of severe bilateral pneumonia. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used temporarily. The patient recovered uneventfully. Conclusion: This is the first case, to our knowledge, of the use of ECMO in a trauma patient with severe fulminant A. hydrophila pneumonia. Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of this pathogen and associated clinical infections.