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Stomatococcus mucilaginosus septicemia in leukemic patients
Margareta Granlund1, Mats Linderholm, Mari Norgren
1Department of Clinical Bacteriology.
Summary
High rates of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus septicemia occurred in leukemia patients, linked to ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. This resistance, not hospital spread, appears to be a key predisposing factor.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Stomatococcus mucilaginosus septicemia is uncommon.
- An unexpected increase in S. mucilaginosus blood isolates was observed in a hematologic ward.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a high incidence of S. mucilaginosus septicemia.
- To identify predisposing factors for this infection in hematologic patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of blood cultures from 1991-1993 in a hematologic ward.
- Analysis of patient medical records, antibiotic susceptibility, and RFLP of S. mucilaginosus isolates.
Main Results:
- S. mucilaginosus blood isolates were as frequent as Staphylococcus aureus in patients with hematologic malignancies.
- Eleven neutropenic patients with myelogenous leukemia and S. mucilaginosus septicemia were identified, most with oral mucositis and on ciprofloxacin prophylaxis.
- Isolates from these patients were ciprofloxacin-resistant, unlike those from other regimens or healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- Ciprofloxacin-resistant S. mucilaginosus strains may predispose patients to septicemia.
- No evidence of nosocomial spread of the identified S. mucilaginosus strains was found.