Aeromonas septicemia from hepatobiliary disease

Two cases of Aeromonas hydrophila septicemia secondary to hepatobiliary disease are reported. In both patients evidence of cholecystitis and ascending cholangitis was present. In one, multiple liver abscesses developed despite apparently adequate antibiotic therapy, and resolution occurred only after surgical drainage of the larger abscesses and infusion of antibiotics via an umbilical venous catheter. Survey of the literature reveals that Aeromonas infections are uncommon and often occur in patients with depressed host defenses, especially in those with diseases of the liver and biliary tract. An increased utilization of the oxidase test necessary to separate Aeromonas from other gram-negative bacteria is required to establish the frequency with which these organisms cause human infection.