Bromhidrosis induced by sphingomonas paucimobilis: a case report

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3):845-8. doi: 10.1177/039463200902200332.

Abstract

Bromhidrosis is a clinical disorder characterized by excessive or abnormal foul axillary odour due to the interaction of apocrine glands with micro-organisms which causes a serious personal and social handicap for affected people. We present the case of a 50-year-old caucasian female with bromhidrosis. The patient referred that this symptom had begun two months previously. Her past treatments included antibacterial soap, topical antibacterial agents and perfumes, but none of these relieved the patient of the odour. A cultural examination of axillary smear was carried out and it revealed the presence of ciprofloxacin sensible Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Therefore the patient was treated with ciprofloxacin and after 1 week the infection resolved completely.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apocrine Glands / drug effects
  • Apocrine Glands / microbiology*
  • Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Odorants* / prevention & control
  • Sphingomonas / isolation & purification*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ciprofloxacin