A Report on the Epidemiology of a Case Infected with Paenibacillus Assamensis

Objectives  To investigate whether Paenibacillus assamensis could invade human body and would be pathogenic.

Methods  An epidemiological investigation was carried out on the location of the case by an informal discussion with local clinicians and collecting clinical and laboratory data. The initial cultured bacteria from the synovia of joints were selectively cultured.

Results  The correlation between PyrA positive and Francisellatularensis was not found from known literatures; the isolated bacteria were then amplified by 16SrRNA, sequenced and compared. Compared with the Blast in NBCI Web site, the microorganism isolated had a high homology with Paenibacillus assamensis, and finally an infection of Paenibacillus assamensis in this case was diagnosed.

Conclusions  What was the source of local Paenibacillus assamensis and whether the joint inflammation of the case was caused by the bacteria. Paenibacillus assamensis was isolated for the first time from the tissue fluid of local people. It would be a new opportunity and challenge for local government.