Moraxella osloensis: an unusual cause of central venous catheter infection in a cancer patient

Abstract

Yoshiro Hadano,1 Kenta Ito,1 Jun Suzuki,1 Ichiro Kawamura,1 Hanako Kurai,1 Kiyofumi Ohkusu21Division of Infectious Diseases, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka; 2Department of Microbiology, Graduate Medical School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, JapanAbstract: Moraxella osloensis is a rare causative organism of infections in humans, with most cases reported in cancer patients. We report the case of a 67-year-old Japanese man with advanced cancer of the pancreatic head and multiple liver metastases who developed fever with chills. Blood culture was found to be positive for Gram-negative bacilli that were aerobic, oxidase-positive, and catalase-positive. M. osloensis was identified by 16 rRNA gene sequencing. Prompt control of the infection was achieved by treatment with cefepime for 14 days, without the need for removal of the central venous catheter.Keywords: Moraxella osloensis, central venous catheter, infection, cancer