K Jagadish Kumar, VG Manjunath, HR Nandish, A Ratna

Abstract

Background: Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) has been recognised as one of the important nosocomial pathogens in recent times and causes a broad spectrum of infections involving the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, central nervous and musculoskeletal system. E. cloacae causing systemic bacterial infection is uncommon in children and primarily affects younger children or those with associated underlying medical problems. Case Presentation: We are reporting a 5-year-old immune-competent boy with community-acquired E. cloacae septicaemia, who presented with septic shock requiring vasopressor therapy, and mild encephalitis with a reversible splenial lesion of the corpus callosum. He recovered completely without any sequelae after treatment. Conclusions: Even though an E. cloacae bloodstream infection is typically a nosocomial pathogen that affects those with co-morbidities; it can rarely lead to severe and life-threatening community-acquired septicaemia.