Life-threatening Escherichia coli cellulitis in patients with haematological malignancies
Résumé
Cellulitis due to Escherichia coli (E. coli) are rare and usually secondary to cutaneous portal of entry. Skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) secondary to E. coli bacteraemia has been exclusively reported in immunodeficient patients. We report here two cases of serious cellulitis secondary to E. coli bacteraemia in patients with haematological malignancies. Both isolated strains belonged to phylogenetic group B2 and they harboured some of the main virulence factor genes commonly found in extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), including neuC, iro and fimH. Cellulitis due to E. coli seems to be linked to the immuno-compromised status of patients rather than to a highly virulent clone. Nevertheless, some of the virulence factors appear to be important because both isolates belong to phylogenetic group B2. This aetiology should be considered in SSTI in patients with haematological malignancies.