Emerging Bacterial Pathogens in the COVID-19 Era: Chryseobacterium gleum -A Case in Point

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic leads to prolonged hospitalization and broad-spectrum antibiotic use, increasing risks of nosocomial infections.
• Unconventional organisms, such as Chryseobacterium gleum, pose a growing threat as nosocomial pathogens in vulnerable patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of Chryseobacterium gleum infections in patients recovering from COVID-19.
• To determine if Chryseobacterium gleum is an emerging cause of pneumonia in the post-COVID-19 setting.

Main Methods:

• A case-series study was conducted from September 2020 to April 2021.
• Included were patients with clinically suspected pneumonia who had recovered from COVID-19.
• Tracheal aspirates were analyzed for Chryseobacterium gleum isolates.

Main Results:

• Seventeen Chryseobacterium gleum isolates were identified in pure culture from nine COVID-19 patients.
• Isolates were obtained from tracheal aspirates over an eight-month period.
• A literature review indicated an increase in Chryseobacterium gleum respiratory isolates in 2020.

Conclusions:

• This is the first study to report the isolation of Chryseobacterium gleum from COVID-19 patients, demonstrating clinical significance.
• Chryseobacterium gleum should be considered a potential cause of respiratory infections, particularly in patients recovering from COVID-19.
• The findings underscore the importance of identifying rare pathogens in post-COVID-19 respiratory infections.