We reported a 53-year-old female who was admitted due to partial loss of consciousness. She had been diagnosed as old pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus. She was diagnosed as diabetic keto-acidosis on admission. We isolated Escherichia coli in the blood, transtracheal aspiration (TTA) and from the urine. We have experienced 6 cases where the same bacteria was isolated from the blood and TTA at the same time.
In all 6 cases, we have found single bacteria in the blood and a few other bacteria in TTA. Blood culture is the most certain method to detect the origin of infectious diseases. But the compromised host, as in this case, has multifocal infections in many cases. In order to understand the pathological aspects of the infection, we must obtain many kinds of samples and as many as possible.
