Fulminating chromobacterial septicaemia presenting as respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory distress syndrome occurs in a variety of clinical situations of which sepsis is one important precipitating factor. We have observed and successfully treated with high PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) a rare case of chromobacterial septicaemia complicated by an acute respiratory distress syndrome. We describe here the first reported case of a patient in this country surviving this illness with pulmonary involvement.