[Nosocomial sepsis due to Ochrobactrum anthropi in HIV positive patients: two case reports]

The first two case reports of nosocomial Ochrobactrum anthropi septicemia occurring in patients with HIV disease are presented, and discussed in light of recent evidence of non-fermenting gran-negative bacilli as emerging pathogens in hospitalized immunocompromised patients. Among patients with advanced HIV infection, O. anthropi septicemia may occur even when certain presumed risk factors (notably indwelling catheters and instrumentation) are lacking, while a low CD4+ lymphocyte count, neutropenia, and concurrent AIDS-related complications may act as predisposing conditions. Despite its low intrinsic pathogenicity, O. anthropi should be taken into consideration by both microbiologists and clinicians, due to its cumbersome identification procedures, its prevailing nosocomial occurrence, and its unpredictable antibiotic susceptibility pattern.