An Unusual Case of Rhizobium radiobacter in Bronchoalveolar Lavage

<i>Rhizobium radiobacter</i> is a gram-negative bacterium that causes tumors in plants. In humans, it rarely causes infections. In most of the reported cases, the patient had long-standing indwelling devices or immunocompromised states. We present a case of a 49-year-old male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who is on twice-weekly maintenance hemodialysis, presenting with shortness of breath. With the initial diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia and high-resolution computed tomography findings, bronchoscopy was performed, and bronchial washing was sent for pneumonia panel and cultures. The pneumonia panel was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the culture yielded growth of <i>Rhizobium radiobacter</i> and <i>Aspergillus</i>. Bronchial washing was also positive for COVID-19 infection. Antibiotics and antifungals were started, and the patient's inflammatory markers began to improve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Pakistan and depicts the importance of proper and timely evaluation of infections in immunocompromised patients.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-09-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.92808
Primary Topic
Esophageal and GI Pathology
Type
article
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article

An Unusual Case of Rhizobium radiobacter in Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Syed Qasim Raza, Muhammad Asim Rana, Ezaz Yousaf, Rizwan Pervaiz et al.
Cureus
Esophageal and GI Pathology
article

An Unusual Case of Rhizobium radiobacter in Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Syed Qasim Raza, Muhammad Asim Rana, Ezaz Yousaf, Rizwan Pervaiz, Anum Mehboob
article en

Abstract

<i>Rhizobium radiobacter</i> is a gram-negative bacterium that causes tumors in plants. In humans, it rarely causes infections. In most of the reported cases, the patient had long-standing indwelling devices or immunocompromised states. We present a case of a 49-year-old male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who is on twice-weekly maintenance hemodialysis, presenting with shortness of breath. With the initial diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia and high-resolution computed tomography findings, bronchoscopy was performed, and bronchial washing was sent for pneumonia panel and cultures. The pneumonia panel was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the culture yielded growth of <i>Rhizobium radiobacter</i> and <i>Aspergillus</i>. Bronchial washing was also positive for COVID-19 infection. Antibiotics and antifungals were started, and the patient's inflammatory markers began to improve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Pakistan and depicts the importance of proper and timely evaluation of infections in immunocompromised patients.

CureusVol. 17(9)
Care International (CH), Bahria University (PK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Esophageal and GI Pathology
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An Unusual Case of Rhizobium radiobacter in Bronchoalveolar Lavage — Syed Qasim Raza, Muhammad Asim Rana, et al. · Cureus (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS