An uncommon case of Chromobacterium violaceum urinary tract infection in a tertiary hospital in Ghana: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Chromobacterium violaceum is a facultative, Gram-negative, motile bacillus that rarely causes human infections, but could lead to severe disease with high mortality when systemic spread occurs. Reported infections include bacteremia, septicemia, wound infections, skin lesions, respiratory tract infections, and rarely urinary tract infections. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of C. violaceum isolated from the urine of a 35-year-old female from the Dagomba ethnic group in the Northern Region of Ghana who presented with a recurrent right flank pain and right upper quadrant abdominal pain at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The organism was identified through biochemical testing and whole genome sequencing. The infection resolved after two doses of azithromycin (500 mg) and five doses of metronidazole (400 mg). CONCLUSION: Human infection with Chromobacterium violaceum is extremely rare in Ghana. This case represents the first documented C. violaceum-associated urinary tract infection in the country and provides detailed perspectives into its biochemistry, antimicrobial susceptibility, and genomic characteristics. Greater clinical and laboratory awareness of this pathogen is essential for timely diagnosis and management of similar rare infections.