Chryseobacterium indologenes Bacteremia: Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of an Emerging Infection

Purpose: Since Chryseobacterium indologenes (C. indologenes) is a rare human pathogen, its clinical significance has not yet been fully established. C. indologenes contamination of medical devices involving fluids and of surgical implants has led to an increasing number of serious infectious reported in recent years, mainly in patients in extremes ages and an immunocompromised state. In this study, we describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of seven adult patients with C. indologenes bacteremia treated in a tertiary medical center in Israel over a six-year period. Methods: Adult patients hospitalized in Rabin Medical Center, Israel, with a blood culture positive for C. indologenes during the period 2009-2014 were identified retrospectively and their medical records were reviewed. Results: Seven episodes of C. indologenes bacteremia in seven patients were identified during the study period. Five patients were females; the mean age was 76.8 years (41 - 92). Serious underlying conditions were present in all patients. All patients but one, presented after a recent invasive healthcare related intervention. Two patients required mechanical ventilation. Two patients died. All but one isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Despite our limited number of cases, to the best of our knowledge, our study serves as the largest cohort of adult patients with C. indologenes bacteremia reported in recent years.