Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) is a gram-negative and facultative anaerobic bacillus that is widespread in the soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions. C. violaceum is an opportunistic pathogen in humans, yet precise incidence statistics are absent. Although C. violaceum rarely infects humans, the mortality rate for C. violaceum infection is above 50% (1, 2). Here, we report a case of a 15-year-old male who suffered a critical bloodstream infection caused by C. violaceum that progressed into sepsis-induced cardiogenic shock and liver abscesses, along with purpura fulminans (PF)-associated symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG).

In July 2023, a 15-year-old male was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital. The patient did not have a history of immunodeficiency. A week previously, he had fallen down and hurt his right limbs, and he subsequently had a fever that peaked at 41°C. His condition became exacerbated and his awareness deteriorated. Laboratory tests at the emergency room (ER) suggested severe infection accompanied by myocardial damage (Table 1).

When he entered the ICU ward, he was restless and had a temperature of 40°C, a heart rate of 132 beats/min, a blood pressure of 84/45 mmHg with 0.1 ug/kg/min norepinephrine, a respiration rate of 40 breaths/min, and an oxygen saturation of 100% with nasal catheter. The wounds were coated with white scabs of a regular round shape, which were mainly located beneath the right knee and on the right acrotarsium (Figures 1A,B), without significant presentation of cellulitis. Ultrasonic cardiogram (UCG) results showed a slightly enlarged left ventricle and reduced ejection fracture (EF) (Table 1). Gram-negative bacillus was detected in the blood after 13 h of culture, so meropenem (1.0 g intravenously every 6 h) and vancomycin (1.0 g intravenously every 12 h) were used as the initial empirical antibiotics.

As of 12 a.m. on Day 1, the patient had deteriorated rapidly, subsequently presenting with hypotensive shock and ventricular fibrillation. After intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 8 min, he returned to spontaneous circulation, but hypotension persisted despite treatment with the maximum vasopressor dosage. A UCG reexamination showed an enlarged left ventricle and lower EF (Figure 1C).

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was conducted on Day 2. Meanwhile, C. violaceum resistant to penicillins, β-lactamases and carbapenems was identified in his blood sample (Figures 1D,E; Table 2). Accordingly, antibacterial treatment was adjusted to a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX, 0.96 g orally every 6 h), amikacin (0.4 g intravenously every 12 h), and doxycycline (0.1 g orally every 12 h). With VA ECMO support, his vital signs were maintained. However, multi-organ dysfunction was revealed, including acute kidney failure, acute liver failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (Table 1). Physical examination indicated newly emerged scleral icterus and progressive symmetric purpura on the buttocks, scrotum, and lower limbs (Figures 1F,G). Furthermore, C. violaceum was not detected in the wound secretion.

VA ECMO was withdrawn on Day 6 as the patient’s cardiac function improved (Table 1). After removing scabs on the wounds, ulcers were revealed in the center of the lesions. In addition, peripheral purpura worsened, especially in the lower limbs, ecchymosis converged, skin necrosis developed, blisters appeared and became confluent, and the toes progressed to symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) (Figure 1H). Combined with the evidence of severe infection, shock liver, and DIC, purpura fulminans (PF) was diagnosed. The skin temperature of the feet was warm, and neither the vascular ultrasound nor computed tomography (CT) of the lower limbs demonstrated stenosis, occlusion, or thrombosis. Lab tests showed coagulation dysfunction, as well as reduced antithrombin III and protein C levels (Tables 1, 3). Enoxaparin was used to prevent thrombosis and PF-associated SPG exacerbation. In addition, the abdominal CT showed multiple liver abscesses (Figure 1I). Additionally, C. violaceum was identified in the sputum.

On Day 12, biopsy was performed on the lower limbs, and pathologic results indicated microvascular thrombosis with retrogression in the squamous epithelium and the vessel walls (Figure 1J). As the necrotic epidermis of the lower limbs was gradually replaced by fresh epithelium, and gangrene was limited to the toes (Figure 1K), the patient was transferred to the general ward on Day 33. He was discharged on Day 65 and admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. The brief timeline of onset, diagnosis, and treatment is shown in Figure 2.

Pathogenic knowledge on C. violaceum has increased over the decades since the first case of C. violaceum infection in humans was reported in 1927. However, there have still been fewer than 200 total reported cases worldwide. Despite its low infectivity, C. violaceum can cause critical illness with rapid progression (3). The pooled reports have revealed that C. violaceum infection has a mortality rate above 50%, which is sufficiently high to merit research attention (1, 2).

Given that C. violaceum is an opportunistic pathogen in humans, immune suppression or deficiency is a main risk factor. Approximately half of the reported cases occurred in children and immunodeficient adults. Previous studies have indicated that patients with chronic granulomatous disease or glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency are prone to C. violaceum infection (4–6). However, many studies have reported C. violaceum infection in patients with normal immunological status. Similarly, the patient in this case showed no evidence of immunological deficiency. A recent study has shown that the bacterial type III secretion system effector Chromobacterium outer protein C played a pivotal role in inactivating caspases to dysregulate the programmed cell death of epithelial cells, which might explain the underlying mechanism of C. violaceum virulence (7).

Antibacterial treatment based on a susceptibility test is the initial and most effective approach. There is a consensus that C. violaceum is resistant to penicillin, colistin, and most cephalosporins (1, 2, 8), but generally susceptible to fluoroquinolones, TMP-SMX, doxycycline, and amikacin (1, 2, 8). In addition, findings on C. violaceum resistance to carbapenems have varied (1, 8). Considering the high resistance of C. violaceum, in patients with severe infection, combined treatment is widely used in the acute period, and single-drug maintenance therapy for 2–3 months is recommended to prevent relapse (1).

The characteristics of C. violaceum infection are specific skin lesions, multi-organ abscesses, and sepsis, which were manifested in our patient. Among these characteristics, specific skin lesions include cellulitis, ulcer, purulent discharge, and necrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on C. violaceum-induced PF. Infection-induced PF is a non-specific response caused by various organisms and has a mortality rate of 41% according to a previous study (9). Shock liver–induced acquired protein C deficiency could result in DIC, causing microvascular thrombosis of the limbs and, eventually, PF (10–12). This patient had low levels of protein C and secondary DIC, and pathologic findings of the limb lesions showed multiple thrombosis in the micro vessels, providing evidence of C. violaceum-induced PF. Additionally, although C. violaceum was not detected in the wounds, we could not eliminate the possibility that this patient’s PF was directly caused by C. violaceum. There is still controversy regarding the treatment. Apart from effective anti-infection treatment, other treatment options include heparin, antithrombin, zymogen protein C concentrates, or recombinant activated protein C (11). Regarding PF-associated SPG, approximately one-third of patients require amputation eventually (9). In our patient, PF-associated SPG was limited to the toes, and PF recovered as the patient was discharged. Therefore, amputation was avoided.

In this case, C. violaceum infection rapidly caused sepsis-induced cardiogenic shock, which has a mortality rate of >80% (13). This patient experienced progressed cardiac dysfunction and was successfully rescued with VA ECMO. In addition to our report, two previous studies have also reported the use of VA ECMO in younger children with refractory cardiogenic shock induced by C. violaceum (14, 15).

Although C. violaceum rarely infects humans, its infection has a high incidence of severity, misdiagnosis, and mortality. Prior to microbiological determination, profiles of traumatic history in tropical and subtropical areas, specific skin lesions, multi-organ abscesses, and rapid progression can provide guidance for initial treatment. Clinicians should also pay attention to severe organ dysfunction and serious secondary skin presentation like PF. In critical patients, combined usage of antibacterial drugs based on susceptibility testing and proactive organ support are important.

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Written informed consent was obtained from the individual(s), and minor(s)’ legal guardian/next of kin, for the publication of this case report.

XW: Writing – original draft, Formal analysis, Conceptualization. YT: Writing – review & editing, Resources, Data curation. YC: Writing – review & editing, Formal analysis. HY: Writing – review & editing, Resources. ML: Writing – review & editing, Resources. YL: Writing – review & editing, Resources. LH: Writing – review & editing, Supervision. HL: Writing – review & editing, Supervision.