Xiuri Wang,1 Yunxiao Liang,1 Liuyang Hu2 

1Department of Gastroenterology, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530016, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530016, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Liuyang Hu, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, 530016, People’s Republic of China, Email 1225432679@qq.com

Abstract: Species of Pantoea are mainly environmental strains and plant pathogens, rarely causing human infections. Here, we describe two cases of hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Pantoea in patients with uremia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of catheter related bloodstream infection caused by Pantoea dispersa (P. dispersa) in hemodialysis patients, as well as the first case of bloodstream infection caused by Pantoea anthophila (P. anthophila). Multiple blood cultures from the catheter showed the presence of Pantoea, and the isolated P. dispersa and P. anthophila were found to be highly sensitive to various antibiotics. Prompt use of antibiotics and catheter lock with gentamicin or amikacin led to rapid recovery of the patients, avoiding the economic burden of catheter replacement. Infections caused by Pantoea might be underestimated as methods such as VITEK® MS system often result in misidentification. Therefore, we recommend using advanced techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or 16S ribosomal RNA analysis to detect more cases of Pantoea infections. By sharing these cases, we hope to increase awareness among clinicians about the potential pathogenicity of Pantoea in hemodialysis patients. It is crucial to strengthen noting the primary concern for sources of infection with Pantoea species (plant and environmental exposures) to prevent outbreaks of Pantoea-related bloodstream infections in hospitals.

Keywords: hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections, nosocomial bloodstream, pantoea genus, pantoea dispersa, pantoea anthophila