Awake VV-ECMO for severe pneumonia caused by Elizabethkingia anophelis: a case report
Abstract
Background: Elizabethkingia anophelis is phenotypically similar to E. meningoseptica and is often misidentified by conventional methods, delaying appropriate therapy. Awake venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) avoids complications of deep sedation and mechanical ventilation, but its role in severe pulmonary infection with rare pathogens remains underexplored.
Case presentation: We report a 62-year-old male with chronic hepatitis B who developed type I respiratory failure and septic shock unresponsive to conventional support. VV-ECMO was initiated on January 23, and awake ECMO management was implemented to preserve spontaneous breathing and cough reflex. Serial metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed influenza A H1N1, Aspergillus fumigatus, and multidrug-resistant bacteria (Detailed mNGS results are provided in Supplementary Table 2). On day 32, sputum culture suggested E. meningoseptica, but subsequent mNGS identified E. anophelis (322,376 reads). The anti-infective regimen was adjusted to minocycline-based combination therapy. Under awake ECMO support, the patient's infection markers gradually improved, and he was successfully weaned from ECMO on day 38 and from mechanical ventilation thereafter. He was discharged after recovery.
Conclusion: This case demonstrates that awake ECMO can serve as an effective respiratory support platform in complex severe pneumonia. When conventional testing reports E.…
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