T2Bacteria case study highlighting the early detection of a polymicrobial infection
University of Louisville Health | Louisville, KY
Presentation
A 51-year-old male presented with acute decompensated heart failure.
Patient History
The patient had a history of intravenous (IV) drug use, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and diabetes.
The patient also had urinary symptom complaints that began with admission, and the patient was on ceftriaxone (1 gram IV) for Escherichia coli from a previous urine culture.
Evaluation and Treatment Decision
- On hospital day 4, the patient experienced a new septic event, and T2Bacteria and blood cultures were ordered.
- Vancomycin was added and ceftriaxone was escalated to piperacillin/tazobactam.
- ≈ 6 hours after the blood draw, T2Bacteria was positive for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
- On hospital day 5, ≈19 hours after the blood draw, the blood culture was also positive for Staphylococcus aureus, but never grew Escherichia coli.
- The patient was de-escalated from piperacillin/tazobactam to ceftriaxone to complete a 7-day course and continued vancomycin.
The identification of an additional Staphylococcus aureus infection allowed for directed therapy with the addition of vancomycin.
Learn More
To learn more about this case, watch the Learning Lounge from IDWeek 2024
1. Ross, A. Pharmacists’ Perspective: Real-World T2Bacteria® Experience, IDWeek. 2024.