Chryseobacterium meningosepticum infection: antibiotic susceptibility and risk factors for mortality.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A limited range of antibiotic classes are available for treatment of Chryseobacterium meningosepticum infections. Although the role of C. meningosepticum in newborn infections and immunocompromised hosts has been recognized, clinical data detailing these infections remain limited. This retrospective study investigated the risk factors for mortality in patients with C. meningosepticum infections and the antibiotic susceptibility of clinical isolates.

METHODS: Information on demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, antibiotic treatment, and outcomes was collected. Statistical significance of potential prognostic parameters was analyzed by Fisher's exact test. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 19 isolates to seven antibiotics was determined, and susceptibility results were presented as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range, MIC at which 50% of isolates were inhibited (MIC(50)), and MIC at which 90% of isolates were inhibited (MIC(90)).

RESULTS: Hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL) [p=0.02] and increased pulse rate (p=0.008) at the onset of infection, and presence of an indwelling central venous line (p=0.04) were associated with poor outcomes. Use of appropriate antibiotics was not significantly associated with the clinical outcome (p=0.21). MIC values of levofloxacin (MIC(50)/(90), 0.12/2 microg/mL) were lower than those of ciprofloxacin (0.5/4 microg/mL).

CONCLUSION: Hypoalbuminemia, increased pulse rate at the onset of infection and presence of central venous line infection were associated with a poor outcome in patients with C. meningosepticum.