Authors
Sirui Zhang, Wenqiang Fan
Published in
AME case reports. Volume 10. Pages 94. Epub Mar 27, 2026.
Abstract
Totally implantable venous access ports (PORTs) are indispensable for oncology patients and others requiring prolonged intravenous therapy, eliminating repeated venipuncture and offering durable, low-maintenance vascular access. However, device-related infection remains the most frequent complication. Pantoea agglomerans (P. agglomerans), an environmental, plant-associated bacterium, rarely causes human disease, and reports of P. agglomerans colonization specifically within the PORT reservoir are scarce.
We report the case of a 72-year-old Asian female who was undergoing postoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer, developed acute high fever with elevated inflammatory markers following an invasive procedure involving a PORT during chemotherapy. Blood cultures confirmed infection with P. agglomerans. Based on clinical examinations, we confirmed that the pathogen colonized the PORT reservoir itself, a phenomenon that has rarely been reported and discussed to date in P. agglomerans infections. The patient achieved complete recovery following antimicrobial therapy.
In conclusion, P. agglomerans is a rare pathogen that causes a range of clinical infections. Besides entering the bloodstream to cause bacteremia, P. agglomerans, it can also lurk in the indwelling devices and trigger high fever in susceptible patients. Therefore, aseptic technique, prompt antibiotic therapy and removal of the infected source are crucial to control P. agglomerans infection.
PMID:
42299396
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 16 Jun 2026.
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