Chromobacterium haemolyticum pneumonia possibly due to the aspiration of runoff water

Abstract

Here we report a case of pneumonia possibly caused by the aspiration of runoff water containing Chromobacterium haemolyticum. A 69-year-old man became intoxicated to alcohol and fell into a ditch, suffering a blow to the head and losing consciousness. The lower half of his body was completely paralyzed due to damage sustained by the spinal cord and he aspirated runoff water from the ditch. Chest computed tomography scans revealed consolidation in the right upper lobe and bilateral lower lobes. Sputum culture detected Gram-negative bacterium that was identified as C. haemolyticum. Antibacterial chemotherapy was initiated and the clinical course was favorable. This is the first report of C. haemolyticum pneumonia in the literature.