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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, August 2003, p. 3986-3988, Vol. 41, No. 8
0095-1137/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.41.8.3986-3988.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

CASE REPORT

Severe Serratia liquefaciens Sepsis following Vitamin C Infusion Treatment by a Naturopathic Practitioner

S. Engelhart,1* F. Saborowski,2 M. Krakau,2 G. Scherholz-Schlösser,3 I. Heyer,3 and M. Exner1

Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn,1 Gesundheitsamt der Bundesstadt, Bonn,3 Medizinische Klinik, Krankenhaus Holweide, Köln, Germany2

Received 21 October 2002/ Returned for modification 24 February 2003/ Accepted 25 April 2003

A 66-year-old female patient developed severe Serratia liquefaciens sepsis following vitamin C infusion treatment by a naturopathic practitioner. The clinical course of the infection was characterized by several complications, and the direct costs of the hospital stay amounted to about 40,000 Euro. Genotypically identical S. liquefaciens was isolated from the residue of the infusate given to the patient, as well as from the washbasin overflow and from two other infusion bottles. A careful inspection of the dispensing facilities and review of procedures used to prepare the infusate revealed several indications of poor hygiene. However, the source of contamination could not be fully clarified. This case report raises questions about the local facilities and personal qualifications required for naturopathic practitioners to conduct invasive procedures and demonstrates that lapses in hygiene can lead to severe morbidity and high cost.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. Phone: 49-228-287-5520. Fax: 49-228-287-5645. E-mail: steffen.engelhart{at}ukb.uni-bonn.de.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, August 2003, p. 3986-3988, Vol. 41, No. 8
0095-1137/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.41.8.3986-3988.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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