Cellulitis and bacteremia caused by the fish pathogen,Streptococcus iniae, in an immunocompromised patient: Case report and mini-review of zoonotic disease, lab identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility

Abstract

Streptococcus iniae is a fish pathogen that can also infect mammals including dolphins and humans. Its prevalence in farmed fish, particularly tilapia, provides potential for zoonotic infections, as documented by multiple case reports. Systematic clinical data beyond cellulitis for S. iniae infection in humans, including antimicrobial susceptibility data, are unfortunately rare. Here, we present a case of cellulitis progressing to bacteremia caused by Streptococcus iniae in a functionally immunocompromised patient based on CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy, and we discuss risk factors, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility of this rare pathogen.

Keywords: Farmed fish; Immunosuppressed patient; Streptococcus iniae; Streptococcus shiloi; Zoonosis; β-hemolytic streptococci.