Ecthyma gangrenosum Due to Escherichia coli Bacteremia in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report and a Literature Review About E. coli-Induced Ecthyma gangrenosum

Abstract

Introduction: Ecthyma gangrenosum is a skin lesion presenting invasive infection in the skin, which is commonly caused by Pseudomonas. Pathogenesis is mostly attributed to the microbial invasion in cutaneous tissues caused by the microorganism. One of the important, but rare causes of Ecthyma gangrenosum after Pseudomonas is Escherichia coli. Case Presentation: A 45-year-old woman known as a case with acute myeloid leukemia who went into remission due to chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, she was febrile and septic. A physical examination revealed an erythematous round lesion (3 × 3 cm) that had developed on the posterior aspect of the right thigh with central bolus necrosis. E. coli was detected based on both blood cultures. Conclusions: Ecthyma gangrenosum is mostly seen in patients with severe immunodeficiency such as aplastic anemia, hematologic malignancies, especially patients with leukemia after chemotherapy and also in HIV patients. So far, in 11 patients reported in the literature, at least 8 cases are reported lesions on the lower limb, which is the most probable anatomic area for E. coli-induced Ecthyma gangrenosum. The E. coli-induced Ecthyma gangrenosum is a rare infectious lesion that is particularly seen in patients with a malignancy history, and lower extremity lesions should be considered.