Bacteremia caused by Helicobacter trogontum indicative of zoonotic infection in a pig farmer: a case report

July 9, 2025
Case Report
Nobumasa Hojo, Takashi Unehara, Masato Suzuki, Michio Suzuki, Emiko Rimbara
Pathogen:Helicobacter trogontum
Infection Type:Bacteremia
Pathogen Type:Bacteria

Summary

A 65-year-old pig farmer presented with fever, chills, and fatigue, diagnosed with bacteremia. Initial blood cultures showed Gram-negative rods, later identified as Helicobacter trogontum through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The patient, who had recently handled a pig carcass, was successfully treated with meropenem. This case highlights the zoonotic potential of H. trogontum, a pathogen typically found in animal intestines, and its ability to cause severe systemic infections in humans, especially those with occupational exposure.

Key note: H. trogontum bacteremia in a pig farmer underscores the importance of considering zoonotic transmission for unusual pathogens in individuals with animal contact.

DOI: 10.1128/asmcr.00002-25