Cupriavidus pauculus Infection Associated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Pediatric Patient

TL;DR

A rare infection caused by Cupriavidus pauculus is reported in a critically ill newborn on ECMO, emphasizing the need for strict disinfection protocols.

Contribution

Highlights Cupriavidus pauculus as a rare but significant pathogen in pediatric ECMO-associated bacteremia.

Findings

Cupriavidus pauculus bacteremia occurred in a neonate on ECMO after complex heart surgery.

The infection underscores the importance of disinfecting ECMO circuits to prevent transmission.

Early clinical evaluation and treatment are critical for managing this rare infection.

Abstract

We describe a critically ill neonate in the postoperative period of complex cardiovascular surgery who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and developed bacteremia caused by Cupriavidus pauculus. This uncommon infection in pediatric patients associated with ECMO highlights the diagnostic suspicion of bacteremia due to this non-fermentative Gram-negative bacillus. The report emphasizes early clinical evaluation and treatment and underscores the need for strict protocols to disinfect ECMO circuits, alerting health institutions to the potential transmission risk through these systems.