Thrombophlebitis and cellulitis due to Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus. Report of four cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Four cases of acute thrombophlebitis and cellulitis due to C. fetus ssp. fetus are reported, with a review of 18 previously reported cases. Vascular infection with thrombophlebitis due to C. fetus ssp. fetus occurred predominantly in adult male patients with underlying debilitating, immunocompromising illnesses resulting in a mortality rate of 32%. Although approximately one-third of the patients had exposure to known reservoirs of C. fetus ssp. fetus, none of the patients presented with diarrhea, and only one of the cases had C. fetus ssp. fetus recovered from stool culture. Diagnosis of C. fetus ssp. fetus thrombophlebitis or cellulitis is based on clinical suspicion and recovery of the agent from blood culture; the latter requires an average incubation period of 8 days. Empiric therapy with erythromycin, and an aminoglycoside or chloramphenicol is recommended in suspect patients pending results of blood cultures.