Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae have been associated with bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans. However, there have been only a couple of reports describing bloody diarrhea associated with Acinetobacter spp. and there are no reports of these bacteria causing HUS in children. Here, we report the case of a nine-month-old boy with bloody diarrhea who developed non-oliguric renal failure. The clinical and laboratory findings supported the diagnosis of Acinetobacter hemolyticus infection associated with HUS. The patient responded favorably to antibiotic therapy plus conservative treatment. In conclusion, Acinetobacter infection should be considered as a plausible cause of HUS in cases where E. coli infection is not involved. The rapid transformation ability of Acinetobacter is a matter of concern.

A 14-year-old male patient was admitted with fever, vomiting, muscular pain, mainly in the lower limbs, oliguria and oedema. The presence of rats in the vicinity of the home was reported. Laboratory tests on admission revealed severely compromised renal function and increased phosphokinase creatine and thrombocytopenia. Although the patient presented an atypical course without jaundice or meningeal involvement, early dialytic treatment was administered concomitant with empiric antibiotic therapy for leptospirosis. The probable infected serogroup by serology was Autumnalis. This atypical case illustrates that, in the presence of fever, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and thrombocytopenia, leptospirosis should be considered, even in the absence of jaundice or meningitis, especially if there is a history of contact with carrier animals.