Environmental Surveillance and Infection Prevention Education for an Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Patient Who Survived Septic Shock from Aeromonas hydrophila

Abstract

[Background] Aeromonas hydrophila is an anaerobic bacterium widely distributed in various environments that can be transmitted through oral ingestion of contaminated food. Infection can lead to sepsis in immunocompromised patients, such as those with liver cirrhosis. [Case presentation] Herein, we report the case of a 53-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who developed septic shock. Blood and stool cultures confirmed the presence of A. hydrophila. Home environmental surveillance was done to determine the source of the infection, with a focus on his practice of consuming raw vegetables from his home garden. A soil sample from the home garden was collected for analysis; however, A. hydrophila was not detected, but Bacillus cereus was. Considering the potential risk of infection, the patient was advised to refrain from consuming unheated raw food as part of his lifestyle guidance. [Conclusions] Patients with liver cirrhosis have a high risk of life-threatening infections. Educating patients following environmental surveys may help prevent oral bacterial infection.