Clostridium Symbiosum Sepsis Diagnosed Using Next-Generation Sequencing in a 2 Year Old Child: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a severe illness that can affect preterm, term, and young infants, and is often associated with negative cultures.Case report: A 2-year-old boy, with a previous partial colectomy after birth, presented with abdominal complaints and clinical sepsis. We empirically treated with meropenem and linezolid. Blood cultures were sterile, and fecal cultures demonstrated no pathogenes. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified Clostridium symbiosum from blood sample. The result supported the continued use of the antibiotic regimen. After 1 week, CRP and PCT returned to normal and subsequent de-escalation therapy (cefotaxime sodium sulbactam and metronidazole) was used for anaerobic bacteria. Conclusions: mNGS identified an anaerobic agent responsible for sepsis. From the published sensitivities, the organism was sensitive to the original empiric antibiotic therapy.

Keywords:

• Sepsis
• partial colectomy
• anaerobes
• Clostridium symbiosum

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Hubei Pediatric Alliance Medical Research Project (HPAMRP202117).