Ralstonia pickettii: a persistent gram-negative nosocomial infectious organism

Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli create a significant problem in clinical settings, being a widespread cause of nosocomial infections. They are opportunistic pathogens that take advantage of underlying conditions and diseases. Ralstonia pickettii, a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus, is regarded as being of minor clinical significance; however, many instances of infections with this organism are reported in the literature. Infections can include bacteraemia/septicaemia caused by contaminated solutions, e.g. distilled water, water for injection and aqueous chlorhexidine solutions. Cases of pseudobacteraemia have been recorded in association with R. pickettii, as have many cases of unusual infections, some of which were very invasive and severe, e.g. meningitis, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Six cases of death in four separate instances have also been recorded related to R. pickettii. This review illustrates that R. pickettii is a more important pathogen than was thought previously.