Male patient infected with 'flesh-eating bacteria' saved from death

A male patient (52 years old, Cambodian nationality) was infected with burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria, also known as 'flesh-eating bacteria', and was hospitalized with blood clotting disorder, liver and lung damage, and an abscess in the left groin area...

On June 25, Master - Doctor Nguyen Van Nhom, Head of the Department of Intensive Care, City International Hospital (CIH) said that the patient was admitted to the hospital in a state of severe respiratory failure, high fever, chills, blood clotting disorder, liver and lung damage and abscess in the left groin area. The diagnosis showed that he had sepsis, severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure. The patient's condition was dangerous and life-threatening. Doctors determined that this was a case of severe sepsis, damage to multiple organs at the same time, especially cellulitis, risk of deep muscle abscess in the perineum, so they decided to treat the severe sepsis, aiming for Whitmore's disease (infection with "flesh-eating bacteria").

The patient was treated aggressively with continuous blood filtration, mechanical ventilation, strong antibiotics, electrolyte adjustment methods, and intensive hemodynamic support.

Master - Doctor Nguyen Van Nhom examines a patient

PHOTO: PQP

During the treatment, the patient repeatedly experienced dangerous stages in the Intensive Care Unit. There were times when his respiratory condition was very severe, with damage to almost both lungs, requiring a ventilator.

After more than 3 weeks of active treatment, signs of recovery gradually appeared, pneumonia improved, breathing became more stable, the patient's sedation gradually decreased, and liver and kidney function improved. After that, the patient was extubated and breathed room air on his own.

The path of "flesh-eating bacteria" entering the body

According to Dr. Nhom, the bacteria burkholderia pseudomallei silently enters the human body from the soil and dirty water environment and can attack anyone through scratched skin, breathing or digestion. The initial symptoms that seem like flu are actually signs of Whitmore's disease - an uncommon but extremely dangerous infectious disease.

To prevent infection with Whitmore bacteria, people living in high-risk areas need to ensure personal hygiene and regularly wash their hands with antibacterial soap, especially during food preparation, after using the toilet, after meals, after contact with mud; minimize direct physical contact with environments that potentially contain Whitmore bacteria such as dirty water sources, heavily polluted soil; use protective gear when working in contact with contaminated soil, water or in unsanitary environments...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuu-nam-benh-nhan-nhiem-vi-khuon-an-thit-nguoi-thoat-cua-tu-185250625141729386.htm