Pantoea agglomerans as an indicator of a foreign body of plant origin in cases of wound infection

Objective: To investigate the role of Pantoea agglomerans as an infectious agent that causes infection in a wound even after the wound was managed at the emergency department. Method: A retrospective cohort study, reviewing the medical records of patients with traumatic wounds that were admitted to the emergency department from 2007-2012 and had signs of wound infection for more than 10 days after the wound was managed. Bacteriological results, clinical picture, and treatment results were obtained. Results: Nine cases were identified. Pantoea agglomerans was detected in all cases. After 1-2 months of ineffective treatment, patients were hospitalised and surgical revisions of the wounds were performed. In all cases, small foreign bodies of plant origin were detected. After surgical revision, wounds were healed in 2-3 days. Conclusion: In cases of prolonged healing of post-traumatic wounds, the presence of foreign bodies of plant origin infected with Pantoea agglomerans should be taken into account. Removal of such foreign bodies leads to rapid healing of the wounds.