Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and <i>Bordetella bronchiseptica</i> Co-Infection in a Stem Cell Transplant Patient

Abstract

Bordetella bronchiseptica infections may be overlooked by clinicians due to the uncommon encounter of this pathogen in humans and common isolation of co-pathogens. However, the isolation of B. bronchiseptica in immunocompromised individuals may represent a true infection. We report our experience with the fatal case of a stem cell transplant recipient, co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 and B. bronchiseptica, who was considered fully vaccinated (two doses) at the time of her case in spring 2021. Future studies are needed to evaluate the incidence of bacterial co-infections in immunosuppressed individuals with SARS-CoV-2 and clinicians should remain cognizant of the potential pathogenic role of uncommon pathogens isolated in these individuals.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• <i>Bordetella bronchiseptica</i>
• co-infection