Finger abscess due to Escherichia vulneris after trauma with a branch

Abstract

Introduction: It is important to assess the possible involvement of rare microorganisms in skin and soft tissue infections if the sample obtained for culture is of good quality, and is isolated in pure culture, as occurs with Escherichia vulneris. Case Report: We present the case of a 34-year-old woman, with no history of morbidity, who developed an abscess in the 4th finger of the hand after trauma with a branch and which required surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment for its resolution. In the content of the abscess, E. vulneris was isolated in pure culture, with a multisensitive antibiotic profile.

Discusion: E. vulneris is an Enterobacteriaceae whose pathogenicity has been classically discussed, but it has been seen that it may have participated in the infection of wounds, especially those related to plant material. This organism, closely related to E. harmannii, shows good sensitivity to aminoglycosides, with the exception of penicillin, and cotrimoxazole. In skin and soft tissue infections caused by E. vulneris and that present as an abscess, it is important to perform surgical debridement if necessary for complete resolution of the condition, in addition to treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, which seems appropriate.