Scrub Typhus Complicated by Rare Human Pathogen Sphingobacterium spiritivorum

Sphingobacterium spiritivorum is a rare cause of human infections worldwide. After reviewing the literature, we could find only eight case reports to date. The majority of cases were of cellulitis and septicemia. Most of these patients were immunocompromised and the recovery rate was lesser. We present a case of a young female diagnosed with scrub typhus complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome who developed septicemia and septic shock due to S. spiritivorum. She was managed with sensitive antibiotic levofloxacin, clinically improved, and discharged in satisfactory condition.