Evidence Hub

Delftia acidovorans Infections in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Hosts: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review

Scaglione V, Stefanelli LF, Mazzitelli M, Cattarin L, De Giorgi L, Naso E, Maraolo AE, Cattelan A et al.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), 2025

6 citations

Abstract

Delftia acidovorans (D. acidovorans) is a non-fermentative, aerobic, Gram-negative bacillus typically found in environmental sources such as soil and water. Although considered an opportunistic pathogen, it has been implicated in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This study presents a case of persistent cathether-related bacteraemia in a 61-year-old haemodialysis patient and offers a systematic literature review of similar cases. The patient, affected by end-stage kidney disease and dependent on a central venous catheter (CVC), presented with septic shock. Blood cultures confirmed D. acidovorans, resistant to aminoglycosides but sensitive to cephalosporins, piperacillin/tazobactam, and fluoroquinolones. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, bacteraemia persisted, prompting the use of taurolidine lock therapy when catheter removal was initially unfeasible. Blood cultures cleared after nine days, and the catheter was later replaced. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines identified 21 additional cases of D. acidovorans bacteraemia. Most (76.2%) occurred in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with malignancies, chronic haemodialysis, or indwelling devices. Infections in immunocompetent individuals were typically associated with intravenous drug use or environmental exposure. Mortality was approximately 19%. Aminoglycoside resistance was consistent across most cases, while susceptibility to piperacillin/tazobactam, cephalosporins, and…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free