The First Bacterial Endocarditis Due to <i>Achromobacter xylosoxidans</i> in a Dog

• Published in: Pathogens
• Main Authors: Verena Steiner, Adriana Cabal Rosel, Werner Ruppitsch, Franz Allerberger, Alejandra Carranza Valencia, Mato Markovic, Nicole Luckschander-Zeller, Michael P. Szostak, Joachim Spergser, Igor Loncaric, Frank Künzel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Subjects: newly emerging bacteria; bacteremia; reserve antibiotic; endocarditis; canine
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/12/1580

Infectious endocarditis (IE) in dogs is often associated with a high mortality rate as diagnostic work-up as well as antibiotic treatment might be challenging. The present case describes bacteremia in a dog caused by <i>Achromobacter</i> <i>xylosoxidans,</i> leading to an infectious endocarditis. <i>Achromobacter xylosoxidans</i> (<i>A.</i> <i>xylosoxidans</i>) is an aerobic Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, which has been associated with multiple nosocomial opportunistic diseases in human medicine. One such manifestation of <i>A.</i> <i>xylosoxidans</i> infection is endocarditis. <i>A.</i> <i>xylosoxidans</i> infections are challenging to treat due to the reduced effectiveness of a wide range of antimicrobial agents. To date, only a few case reports of infections with <i>A.</i> <i>xylosoxidans</i> in animals have been described. This is the first case report of <i>A.</i> <i>xylosoxidans</i> endocarditis in a dog. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to determine the sequencing type and to gain more information about this bacterium regarding its intrinsic resistance genes. With this case report, we seek to increase awareness of <i>A. xylosoxidans</i> as an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen in dogs and to provide a short summary regarding the current state of general knowledge and known resistance patterns.