Ignatzschineria indica Isolated From a Human Breast Abscess: A Rare Case

Ignatzschineria indica is a gram-negative aerobic bacillus, usually isolated from the gut content of adult flesh flies or larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica . Ignatzschineria spp. associated with human infection is hypothesized to be related to maggot therapy. We are reporting the first case of Ignatzschineria indica isolated from a breast abscess, along with Proteus penneri and Providencia stuartii in a 76-year-old female. The patient presented with a left breast mass, weight loss, and normal vital signs; physical examination of the left breast showed a fungating mass with foul smelling draining necrotic tissue and a left axillary abscess. A biopsy was performed that revealed an invasive mammary carcinoma (mucinous type) with the tumor ulcerating the overlying skin. Additionally, a culture of the abscess yielded growth of gram-negative rods. The organism was identified as I. indica by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although the pathogenic capacity of the organism cannot be determined at this point, we are establishing the need for further study of patients with cultures positive for I. indica in order to understand the pathologic implications, and therapy to control this organism in human host. J Med Cases. 2016;7(11):502-505 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2666w