Myroides species infection in a chronic venous stasis ulcer: A rare multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen

Myroides species, previously known as Flavobacterium, are rare, opportunistic Gram-negative bacilli primarily found in environmental sources such as water and soil and are infrequently implicated in human infection. When present, infection is often associated with multidrug- resistance and immunocompromised hosts. Cutaneous wound infections caused by Myroides spp. remain poorly described in the literature. We report a case of Myroides odoratus/odoratimimus isolated from chronic bilateral venous stasis ulcers in a 78-year-old man with significant cardiovascular disease and chronic venous insufficiency who presented with acute bilateral lower-extremity cellulitis and sepsis. The patient exhibited hypotension, tachycardia, acute kidney injury, and malodorous wound drainage, prompting initiation of broad-spectrum intravenous antimicrobial therapy. Wound cultures subsequently identified Myroides spp. with concern for multidrug-resistance, and the patient demonstrated clinical improvement with continued culture-directed management. This case emphasizes the ability of Myroides spp. to cause acute severe infection in chronic venous ulcers, highlighting the importance of early recognition and microbiologic diagnosis in guiding appropriate therapy.