The stealth Francisella: The first fatality caused by Francisella novicida bacteraemia in Malaysia

TL;DR

A 69-year-old woman in Malaysia died from a rare Francisella novicida infection, marking the first reported case in the country.

Contribution

This is the first documented fatality caused by Francisella novicida bacteraemia in Malaysia.

Findings

Francisella novicida was identified as the causative agent using next-generation sequencing.

The patient's death highlights the challenges in identifying rare bacterial infections.

Empirical treatment options for unidentified gram-negative bacteraemia are discussed.

Abstract

Francisella novicida is a rare opportunistic pathogen that is closely related to Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis and subspecies holartica. However, it does not cause tularaemia and is not transmitted to humans through arthropod bites. This case is the first time this bacterium has been isolated from a patient in Malaysia. The patient was a 69-year-old woman with hypertension and dyslipidaemia, who unfortunately passed away due to the infection. She presented with infective gastroenteritis and deteriorated into full blown Gram-negative bacteraemia. Despite treatment with meropenem, she succumbed to the infection. Identification attempts using conventional and mass spectrometry method failed. The microbiological confirmation relied on next generation sequencing. This case highlights the challenges faced on bacterial identification, possible empirical treatment options for unidentified gram-negative bacteraemia and implication of rare bacterial infection.

Figures