Spiroplasma infection complicated by macrophage activation syndrome and fulminant hepatitis in a kidney transplant recipient

Abstract

A 65-year-old kidney transplant recipient was admitted with isolated fever. Initial tests revealed pancytopenia and elevated C-reactive protein levels but failed to detect any pathogen. A bone marrow aspirate was performed because of signs suggestive of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, but the results were negative. The patient subsequently developed fulminant hepatitis. Liver biopsy showed severe acute cytolytic hepatitis with a neutrophil-rich infiltrate, suppurative hepatocytic necrosis, and hemophagocytosis. Etoposide, N-acetylcysteine, and piperacillin-tazobactam were initiated. However, the patient died from hemorrhagic complications of the biopsy. Posthumous shotgun metagenomics on liver samples identified Spiroplasma ixodetis.

Keywords: Spiroplasma ixodetis; hepatitis; infection; kidney transplantation; macrophage activation syndrome; shotgun metagenomics.