Raoultella planticola: A Rare Cause of Wound Infection

Raoultella planticola is a gram-negative, aerobic, rod bacterium commonly found in the environment, particularly in water, soil, and fish. This organism has been found to cause a variety of infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, cystitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatic disease, and soft tissue infections. The authors report the case of a 73-year-old-woman who presented with a R planticola wound infection of her left lower extremity after a dog scratch. She was treated successfully with local wound care using dehydrated human amnion/chorion and oral levofloxacin. Her wound healed completely in 4 months but may have been delayed due to her comorbidities. Her chronic proton pump inhibitor use and trial of antibiotics prior to diagnosis of this infection may have selected for this particular organism. Although not commonly reported as a cause of wound infections, practitioners should consider R planticola as a differential diagnosis for a nonhealing wound as prompt identification can allow for timely treatment and decreased morbidity of this serious pathogen.