ELIZABETHKINGIA MENINGOSEPTICUM: AN EMERGING PATHOGEN OF HOSPITAL INFECTIONS WITH HIGH MORTALITY RATE

Dr.Anke Geethanjali; Dr.Anup R Warrier; Dr.Rachana Babu; Mrs.Neeba Jayasurya

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

ELIZABETHKINGIA MENINGOSEPTICUM: AN EMERGING PATHOGEN OF HOSPITAL INFECTIONS WITH HIGH MORTALITY RATE

Dr. Anke Geethanjali, Dr. Anup R Warrier, Dr. Rachana Babu, Mrs. Neeba Jayasurya

Abstract :

Context: Elizabethkingia meningosepticum is an emerging pathogen in hospital settings. It is an opportunistic pathogen with high mortality rate and outeaks have occurred throughout the world. Aim: We aimed here to find out Elizabethkingia meningosepticum infections in our hospital, its clinical spectrum significance and mortality rate. Settings and Design: Retrospective one year study. Materials and Methods: All patients who had a microbiological examination of various clinical samples and isolated Elizabethkingia meningosepticum organism were assessed. Pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using VITEK 2 compact system. The data were collected from laboratory charts, laboratory and hospital information system in the study period of 1 year. Results: Out of 15 patients of Elizabethkingia meningosepticum, majority were above 50 years age group (60%) followed by neonates (13.3%). Most of the Elizabethkingia meningosepticum organisms was isolated from respiratory specimens (56.2%) and blood (31.2%). Out of 15 patients, 4 (26.6%) were expired, within 4 days of diagnosis and all of them were associated with comorbidities and had frequent hospitalizations. Out of 16 isolates, 1 (6.2%) were sensitive to piperacillin–tazobactum, 6 (37.5%) sensitive to ceftazidime–sulbactum, 9 (56.2%) sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 11(68.7%) sensitive to cotrimoxazole, 12 (75%) sensitive to levofloxacin, 14 (87.5%) were sensitive to minocycline. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment with susceptible antibiotic improves patient outcome. Varied Antibiotic susceptibility pattern and high mortality rate, making us to focus more on early detection, rapid sensitivity testing approaches and surveillance.