Elizabethkingia

Paul G. Auwaerter, M.D.
Elizabethkingia is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus. Main organism described as a human pathogen in this class.
    • Previously known as Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, and prior to this, Flavobacterium meningosepticum.
    • Hardy organisms found in water, soil--ubiquitous in hospital environments.
    • Positive findings for catalase, oxidase and indole. Growth is better at 40°C.
    • Multi-drug resistance the norm including carbapenems:
      • Class A extended-spectrum β-lactamases and Metallo-β-lactamases, BlaB (subclass B1) and GOB (subclass B3) described.
  • E. miricola: usually multi-drug resistant.
  • E. anophelis: typically identified through MALDI-TOF.
    • Outbreak (2015-2016) in Wisconsin and Michigan.
    • Appears to be less drug-resistant than E. meningoseptica.
  • Three other species proposed as additions: E. bruuniana, E. ursingii, and E. occulta.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus. Main organism described as a human pathogen in this class.
    • Previously known as Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, and prior to this, Flavobacterium meningosepticum.
    • Hardy organisms found in water, soil--ubiquitous in hospital environments.
    • Positive findings for catalase, oxidase and indole. Growth is better at 40°C.
    • Multi-drug resistance the norm including carbapenems:
      • Class A extended-spectrum β-lactamases and Metallo-β-lactamases, BlaB (subclass B1) and GOB (subclass B3) described.
  • E. miricola: usually multi-drug resistant.
  • E. anophelis: typically identified through MALDI-TOF.
    • Outbreak (2015-2016) in Wisconsin and Michigan.
    • Appears to be less drug-resistant than E. meningoseptica.
  • Three other species proposed as additions: E. bruuniana, E. ursingii, and E. occulta.

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Last updated: September 5, 2020