Erysipelas-like skin lesions associated with Campylobacter jejuni septicemia in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia

Abstract

Three cases are reported of hypogammaglobulinemic males with recurrent Campylobacter jejuni septicemia and erysipelas-like cellulitis without diarrhoea. In one patient Campylobacter jejuni grew from skin biopsy specimens. The findings in another patient were strongly suggestive of osteomyelitis caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Since the susceptibility of hypogammaglobulinemic patients to infection with Campylobacter jejuni is probably related to a lack of serum bactericidal activity against Campylobacter jejuni due to lack of IgM, two patients in whom previous antimicrobial treatment failed were treated with plasma infusions. This regimen supplemented with imipenem resulted in cure of these relapsing infections. Campylobacter jejuni septicemia must be considered in hypogammaglobulinemic patients who present with periodic fever and cellulitis.