Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child

Abstract Background Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis in children is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. However, cases caused by Burkholderia multivorans (BM) are rare. The clinical presentation lacks specificity, making it difficult for clinicians to recognize, whi...

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Main Authors: Bei-bei Niu, Jing-jing Xu, Ji-an Li, Ling-dong Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11033-y
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author Bei-bei Niu
Jing-jing Xu
Ji-an Li
Ling-dong Zhu
author_facet Bei-bei Niu
Jing-jing Xu
Ji-an Li
Ling-dong Zhu
author_sort Bei-bei Niu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis in children is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. However, cases caused by Burkholderia multivorans (BM) are rare. The clinical presentation lacks specificity, making it difficult for clinicians to recognize, which may delay diagnosis and treatment. Case presentation We report a case of a 5-year-old boy admitted with recurrent fever and neck swelling. Initial treatment with meropenem and linezolid was ineffective, and symptoms persisted after 24 days of conservative therapy. Aspiration of pus yielded negative culture results. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through surgical biopsy of cervical lymph nodes, pathological examination, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which identified BM as the causative pathogen. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and meropenem. The cervical lesion exhibited granulomatous inflammation and was managed with adjunctive vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy, resulting in complete wound healing without recurrence. Conclusions This study aims to raise awareness among all specialists about BM as a potential causative agent in cervical suppurative lymphadenitis. Early recognition and timely intervention can reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses, improving patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-2da8dc8e72a3454dbb2fa1484a9958172025-08-20T03:09:35ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-05-012511710.1186/s12879-025-11033-yCase report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy childBei-bei Niu0Jing-jing Xu1Ji-an Li2Ling-dong Zhu3Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan Children’s Hospital)Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan Children’s Hospital)Infectious Diseases Department, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan Children’s Hospital)Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan Children’s Hospital)Abstract Background Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis in children is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. However, cases caused by Burkholderia multivorans (BM) are rare. The clinical presentation lacks specificity, making it difficult for clinicians to recognize, which may delay diagnosis and treatment. Case presentation We report a case of a 5-year-old boy admitted with recurrent fever and neck swelling. Initial treatment with meropenem and linezolid was ineffective, and symptoms persisted after 24 days of conservative therapy. Aspiration of pus yielded negative culture results. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through surgical biopsy of cervical lymph nodes, pathological examination, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which identified BM as the causative pathogen. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and meropenem. The cervical lesion exhibited granulomatous inflammation and was managed with adjunctive vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy, resulting in complete wound healing without recurrence. Conclusions This study aims to raise awareness among all specialists about BM as a potential causative agent in cervical suppurative lymphadenitis. Early recognition and timely intervention can reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses, improving patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11033-yCervical suppurative lymphadenitisBurkholderia multivoransHealthy childPrecise diagnosisGranulomatous inflammation
spellingShingle Bei-bei Niu
Jing-jing Xu
Ji-an Li
Ling-dong Zhu
Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
BMC Infectious Diseases
Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis
Burkholderia multivorans
Healthy child
Precise diagnosis
Granulomatous inflammation
title Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
title_full Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
title_fullStr Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
title_full_unstemmed Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
title_short Case report: Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
title_sort case report cervical suppurative lymphadenitis caused by burkholderia multivorans in a healthy child
topic Cervical suppurative lymphadenitis
Burkholderia multivorans
Healthy child
Precise diagnosis
Granulomatous inflammation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11033-y
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