A 60-year-old male from rural Australia presented with acute cholecystitis and a history of chronic cholelithiasis. Despite cholecystectomy, he developed a surgical site infection with purulent discharge. Initial cultures were negative, but subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified Herbaspirillum huttiense, a rare Gram-negative bacillus typically found in soil and plants. This opportunistic pathogen was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin, leading to full recovery. This case highlights the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques like 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identifying unusual pathogens in atypical infections, especially in rural settings with environmental exposures.
Key note: 16S rRNA gene sequencing is crucial for identifying rare environmental pathogens like Herbaspirillum in culture-negative infections.