Unprecedented Polymicrobial Bacteremia With Nine Microorganisms in a Critically Ill 95% Burn Patient
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Cureus
Abstract
This report describes the case of a 21-year-old male with 95% total body surface area full-thickness burns who developed polymicrobial bacteremia involving nine distinct bacterial species, the highest number of diverse bacterial species documented to simultaneously coexist in a patient’s bloodstream. Despite aggressive surgical, antimicrobial, and multidisciplinary interventions, the patient succumbed to sepsis after 12 days. The case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of managing complex infections in burn patients and underscores the critical importance of early detection, prompt treatment, and coordinated care. A literature review of the identified pathogens provides context and reveals notable findings relevant to this unprecedented case.
DOI
10.7759/cureus.93651
Publication Date
10-1-2025
Keywords
burn injury, infection control measures, polymicrobial bacteremia, rare case, severe sepsis
ISSN
2168-8184
Recommended Citation
Johnson A, Nasim J, Draper BB, Austin CL. Unprecedented Polymicrobial Bacteremia With Nine Microorganisms in a Critically Ill 95% Burn Patient. Cureus. 2025; 17(10). doi: 10.7759/cureus.93651.
