Edwardsellia tarda septicemia in chronic lymphoid leukemia

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram negative bacilli. At least 300 cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report a new case of Edwardsiella tarda septicemia in an immunocompromised patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Chief infections associated with this bacterium include bacterial gastroenteritis and septicemia with fatal evolution in 50% of cases. Risk factors associated with Edwardsiella tarda infections include exposure to aquatic environments and exotic animals. Although studies indicate that this bacterium is susceptible to most commonly prescribed antibiotics, it is interesting to note that in our case, Edwardsiella tarda was resistant to numerous beta-lactamins.