Children with infectious pneumonia caused by Ralstonia insidiosa: A case report

BACKGROUND Ralstonia is a Gram-negative non-fermentative bacterium widespread in nature, and includes four species, Ralstonia pickettii, Ralstonia solanacearum, Ralstonia mannitolilytica, and Ralstonia insidiosa, which were proposed in 2003. Ralstonia is mainly found in the external water environment, including municipal and medical water purification systems. This bacterium has low toxicity and is a conditional pathogen. It has been reported in recent years that infections due to Ralstonia are increasing. Previous studies have shown that most cases of infection are caused by Ralstonia pickettii, a few by Ralstonia mannitolilytica, and infections caused by Ralstonia insidiosa are rare.CASE SUMMARY A 2-year-old Chinese child suffered from intermittent fever and cough for 20 d and was admitted to hospital with bronchial pneumonia. Bronchoscopy and alveolar lavage fluid culture confirmed Ralstonia insidiosa pneumonia. The infection was well controlled after treatment with meropenem and azithromycin.CONCLUSION Ralstonia infections are increasing, and we report a rare case of Ralstonia insidiosa infection in a child. Clinicians should be vigilant about Ralstonia infections.

Automated summary

Ralstonia is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widely distributed in nature. In recent years, there has been an increase in infections caused by Ralstonia, with Ralstonia pickettii being the most common species causing infection. This case report discusses a rare case of Ralstonia insidiosa infection in a child, which was successfully treated with meropenem and azithromycin.