Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica: An Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen Causing Septicemia in Critically Ill Patients

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Author
1. Uma Balasubramaniam
2. Sachin Talwar
3. Sarvesh Pal Singh
4. C Bipin
5. Manoj Kumar Sahu
ISSN
0972-5229
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23127
Volume
23
Issue
2
Publishing Year
2019
Pages
2
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, CN Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi
    1. Department of Cardiac Anesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
    1. Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia, CN Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi
    1. Department of Cardiac Anesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
    1. CNC, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
    2. Cardio-Neuro Center (CNC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
    3. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
  • Article keywords
    Elezabethkingia meningoseptica, Intensive care unit, Pediatric cardiac surgery, Sepsis

    Abstract

    Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (E. meningoseptica), is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria, normally found in water and soil, notorious for causing nosocomial infections in extremes of ages and immunocompromised patients. It is now emerging as a serious nosocomial pathogen, intrinsically resistant to several commonly used antibiotics (e.g. beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, carbapenems and colistin etc. and a cause of high mortality in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). We report the first case of E. meningoseptica sepsis in a 5 month old child after open heart surgery for transposition of great arteries, initially on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, then prolonged mechanical ventilation, with various invasive devices, inotropes and exposed to broad spectrum antibiotics in our ICU. The case highlights the potential risk factors responsible for E.meningoseptica sepsis. Its unusual pattern of resistance to many commonly used antibiotics makes this organism difficult to treat.

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