Frontiers in Medicine (Oct 2024)

mNGS-identified cellulitis due to quinolone-resistant Edwardsiella tarda: a case report

  • Xuejin Wang,
  • Xuejin Wang,
  • Danxia Gu,
  • Liwei Zhang,
  • Yuchen Wu,
  • Rong Zhang,
  • Kewei Li,
  • Haitao Ren

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1413561
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Edwardsiella tarda is frequently isolated from aquatic animals and environments. While human infections caused by E. tarda are rare, some extraintestinal infections can be severe. This case report describes a patient with cellulitis of the right upper extremity of unknown origin. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) indicated that the patient was infected with E. tarda. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that the isolate was resistant to quinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The isolate, positive for four virulence genes (fimA, gadB, mukF, and sodB), was confirmed to be virulent using the Galleria mellonella larvae model. Following early pus drainage and a 9-day course of imipenem, the patient ultimately recovered. This case report aimed to illustrate the presentation, diagnosis, and management of uncommon cellulitis caused by drug-resistant, virulent E. tarda.

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