Clinical and microbiological characteristics and challenges in diagnosing infected aneurysm: a retrospective observational study from a single center in Japan

First Case Report of Mycotic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Caused by Campylobacter fetus in Serbia

BACKGROUND

Due to its distinct vascular tropism, Campylobacter fetus is recognized as a significant cause of severe systemic infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, while it is rarely reported as a cause of gastrointestinal infections.

METHODS

A rare case of mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with Campylobacter fetus detected on the aneurysm wall itself was described.

RESULTS

A 68-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to severe abdominal pain. The patient was afebrile, hemodynamically stable with elevated C-reactive protein levels. A physical examination revealed a palpable, pulsatile, tender mass located in the periumbilical region. Ultrasonography and multi-slice computer tomography angiography (MSCTA) identified an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a maximum diameter of 6.5 cm, showing suspicious signs of dissection. Aneurysmectomy with Dacron tube graft interposition was performed. Although the blood cultures remained negative, the culture of the aneurysmal wall grew Campylobacter fetus, enabling early diagnosis and targeted antibiotic therapy. The patient was treated with meropenem for two weeks, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanate for another two weeks after hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Campylobacter fetus associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms represents a life-threatening condition, posing a significant challenge in vascular surgery. Due to the lack of clear guidelines on antibiotic susceptibility testing and the treatment of infections associated with this pathogen, enhanced surveillance of Campylobacter fetus is necessary in both human and veterinary medicine.

Yersinia enterocolitica Bacteremia Associated with a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Report with Literature Review

Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen, mainly associated with disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract, including diarrhea, ileitis, and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Extraintestinal presentation is uncommon in healthy individuals, but bacteremia is reported in immunocompromised hosts. We present a 74-year-old male with Y. enterocolitica serogroup O:3 bacteremia who complicated to rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. With the current case report, we aimed to emphasize the association of Y. enterocolitica bacteremia with abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Better surveillance is needed, not only to reduce morbidity and mortality but also to update current epidemiological data on the incidence of such associations.

A Rare Case of Mycotic Aneurysm Due to Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) Bacteremia

Mycotic aneurysm is defined as an infection of the arterial wall either by fungi or bacteria. Although, a rare complication of infection, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We describe a 69-year-old female with a rare thoracic aortic mycotic aneurysm, with no clear source of infection and a predominantly atypical presentation, manifesting primarily as heart failure, at a rural community hospital. Our case also depicts the rapid development of aortitis and mycotic aneurysms. This case highlights the challenges in the diagnosis and management of this condition.