PICC line bacteria identified.

Over the next days, Little Man is doing really well, especially considering how rough things got to land us in the PICU. Everyone is pleased with how well his body is coping, maybe that is the advantage of a chronic illness- his body has developed many coping mechanisms and he is the healthiest sick kid we know! We were dismissed from the PICU after 24hrs. of being stable.


They have identified the bacteria, normal gut bacteria: pantoea agglomerans (previously known generally as enterobacter). This is a gut flora bacteria, belongs in the gut- not in the blood stream. It has set up home in one of the lumen’s of his PICC line. The antibiotics have eradicated it from his system, but it remains a threat in the line. Only further time, waiting for culture tests, will tell if we will be able to save the line (although looks optimistic that we will). We do cultures every day and as soon as those cultures do not grow any bacteria, they will be able to send us home on IV antibiotics.

The other complication is that his hemoglobin is dropping again, now down to 7 (normal is 11, we have to consider transfusion at 7 and if he gets any lower- we will be facing a transfusion). They haven't given him any IV iron this week yet but honestly the last 3-4 IV irons have not done ANYTHING to raise his hemoglobin....this still remains a mystery to me and seems there surely must be something else going on with how his body produces hemoglobin and how the reactions affect that.

Another kink is that the next day, he threw up this morning. Daddy (who takes the overnight shift) said he had a great night- slept through the night, and when waking up - before he had anything to eat, he threw up. Could be the antibiotics messing with his gut flora causing it; could be that he painted the day before (a dot marker type painting) and he painted his hands and then later licked his hand.....12hrs.later he threw up- classic for him (and has happened before); we had to just wait and see.

He never did have any further throwing up or tummy pain; so we concluded it was the paint.  Bizarre but FPIES.  He continues to do well, and we are dismissed from the hospital to continue IV antibiotics at home; having identified the bug and the antibiotic to treat it.   We are happy to go home.