Elizabethkingia
Genus of bacteria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elizabethkingia is a genus of bacterium in the order of Flavobacteriales. It was established in 2005 from a branch in of the genus Chryseobacterium,[1] and named after Elizabeth O. King, the discoverer of the type species.[2] Elizabethkingia has been found in soil, rivers, and reservoirs worldwide.[3] The genus contains several pathogenic species, such as E. meningoseptica and E. anophelis.
| Elizabethkingia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Bacteroidota |
| Class: | Flavobacteriia |
| Order: | Flavobacteriales |
| Family: | Weeksellaceae |
| Genus: | Elizabethkingia Kim et al., 2005 |
| Species | |
Classification
The genus includes four species:
- Elizabethkingia anophelis, isolated from Anopheles mosquitoes, can cause respiratory tract illness in humans,[4][5] the cause of a 2016 outbreak centered in Wisconsin.[6]
- Elizabethkingia endophytica, isolated from blemished stems of sweet corn, Zea mays[7]
- Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, can cause outbreaks of neonatal meningitis in premature newborns and infants[8]
- Elizabethkingia miricola, isolated from condensation water in Space Station Mir[9]
Epidemiology
A 2014 study revealed that Elizabethkingia is an emerging bacterial pathogen for hospital environments, with its incidence in intensive care units rising since 2004.[10] About 5-10 cases of Elizabethkingia are reported per state in the United States every year.[3] A recent study showed that incidence rates for Elizabethkingia increased by 432.1% for 2016–2017 over the incidence for 2009–2015.[11] It possesses genes conferring antibiotic resistance and virulence. It naturally produces β-lactamases and shows intrinsic resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems and aztreonam, but it may remain susceptible to piperacillin and piperacillin/tazobactam.[12] Combined with a lack of effective therapeutic regimens, this leads to high mortality rates.[10] Due to the growing incidence rates, lack of treatments, and high mortality rate, intensive prevention of contamination is necessary.[11]
One of the more significant risk factors for Elizabethkingia is whether mechanical ventilation was used with the patient. Because it can form a biofilm in moist environments, water or water-related equipment can also aid in the transfer of Elizabethkinga in hospital environments.[11]
In children
Neonatal meningitis is the most common presentation of Elizabethkingia for children. Recent studies suggest that approximately 31% of children that have Elizabethkingia pass away from the infection, with an average life expectancy of 27 days from onset of symptoms.[13] For the children who recover from Elizabethkingia, about 48% report typical development and full recovery. 30% indicated an onset of hydrocephalus post-recovery. Many other cases included various onsets post-recovery, including motor deficits, cognitive deficits, ongoing seizures, spasticity, and/or hearing loss.[13]
Elizabethkingia infections in dogs and cats
A 2021 retrospective review of 86 Elizabethkingia veterinary diagnostic laboratory results from US dogs and cats found 26 E. meningoseptica, 1 E. miricola, and 59 unspeciated Elizabethkingia isolates from nine US states, demonstrating that Elizabethkingia infections in animals may increase risks to humans.[14]