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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: More than Just a Colonizer!

Ankita Baidya1, Parul Kodan1, Farhan Fazal1

  • 1Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine : Peer-Reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
|October 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, once considered a colonizer, is now recognized as a significant pathogen. This report details two cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by this bacterium in infants within a cardiac intensive care unit.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging gram-negative pathogen.
  • Previously considered a colonizer, it is increasingly implicated in infections.
  • Antibiotic use and host factors contribute to its pathogenic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in infants.
  • To highlight the evolving role of S. maltophilia as a pathogen in critical care settings.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two infants diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia.
  • Identification of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as the causative agent.

Main Results:

  • Two postoperative infants in a cardiac intensive care unit developed VAP.
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was identified as the pathogen responsible for the pneumonia in both cases.

Conclusions:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can cause serious infections like VAP in vulnerable patient populations.
  • This organism should be considered more than just a colonizer in clinical settings, particularly in intensive care units.
Keywords:
NosocomialStenotrophomonas maltophiliaVentilator-associated pneumonia

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