Campylobacter bacteremia in a Child With Nephrotic Syndrome: A Case Report

<i>Campylobacter</i> spp. bacteremia can be seen in immunocompromised patients. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) predisposes patients to serious bacterial infections (SBI). The most common SBIs in NS are spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), sepsis, and bacteremia due to <i>Streptococcus</i> <i>pneumoniae</i> or <i>Escherichia</i> <i>coli</i>. To date, despite several case reports in adults, there has been no report of <i>Campylobacter bacteremia</i> in the context of pediatric NS. A seven-year-old boy with NS receiving steroid treatment was admitted to our hospital, presenting with fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Ceftriaxone was initially prescribed as empirical therapy for the usual suspected bacteria causing SBP. Unexpectedly, blood culture growth of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> was identified, and antibiotic therapy was altered to azithromycin accordingly. The patient responded well to treatment, repeated cultures were negative, and he was discharged once afebrile and well. The clinical significance of this case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion for an atypical bacterial pathogen, which may need alternative antibiotic therapy.