obsolete Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis

Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica Meningitis: An Obsolete Disease?

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a Gram-negative bacterium, was once considered a significant cause of meningitis, particularly in newborns and immunocompromised patients. However, with advancements in medical science and improved infection control measures, the incidence of this disease has significantly decreased.

Historical Context In the past, Elizabethkingia meningoseptica was a notorious opportunistic pathogen that caused numerous outbreaks of infection, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) [13][14]. The bacterium was known to be resistant to most antibiotics, making treatment challenging [7].

Current Status While Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is still considered an emerging hospital-acquired pathogen, the number of reported cases has declined significantly. This decline can be attributed to improved infection control measures, such as enhanced cleaning protocols and the use of sterile equipment [6]. Additionally, the development of more effective antibiotics has made treatment more manageable.

Rare but Severe Cases Although rare, Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infections still pose a significant threat to vulnerable populations, including newborns and immunocompromised patients. In these cases, prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications and improve outcomes [8].

Conclusion While Elizabethkingia meningoseptica was once considered a significant public health concern, its incidence has decreased significantly due to improved infection control measures and the development of more effective antibiotics. However, it remains an important consideration for healthcare providers when caring for vulnerable populations.

References: [1] Context result 5 [2] Context result 3 [3] Context result 6 [4] Context result 8 [5] Context result 13

**Common Signs

Diagnostic Tests for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Meningitis

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a rare and serious bacterial infection, requires prompt diagnosis to initiate effective treatment. The following diagnostic tests are used to detect this condition:

• Culture testing: This is the primary method of diagnosing Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis. It involves growing the bacteria in blood samples or other body fluids in a laboratory setting [2].
• MALDI-TOF testing: Provided by the CDC, MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight) testing is used to confirm the presence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica bacteria [4].
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing: This method is considered accurate for identifying Elizabethkingia species, including E. meningoseptica [6].

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that disk-diffusion results are unreliable in predicting susceptibility of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica to antibiotics, and therefore, antimicrobial susceptibility testing using MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) should guide therapy [5].

These diagnostic tests play a crucial role in identifying Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis, allowing for timely treatment and improving patient outcomes.

Treatment Options for Obsolete Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica Meningitis

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a rare and often deadly bacterium, has been associated with outbreaks in the past. While it is considered an obsolete disease due to improved infection control measures, understanding its treatment options can still be valuable.

Antibiotic Susceptibility

Research has shown that Elizabethkingia infections are susceptible to several antibiotics, including:

• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) [3][8]
• Minocycline [5][8]
• Rifampin [3][7]
• Cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) [5]

Effective Treatment Regimens

Studies have demonstrated that combination therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam and either TMP-SMX or a fluoroquinolone has high rates of microbiological cure for E. meningoseptica infections [9].

Other Considerations

While vancomycin was previously considered the drug of choice for neonatal meningitis, its MICs are often high, making it less effective against Elizabethkingia [4]. Tigecycline and quinolones have also been used successfully in therapy [5][6].

References:

[1] MS Waleed (2021) - Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is particularly resistant to many antimicrobials, with rifampin potentially an effective medication. [2] P Joshi (2019) - Drugs known to be active and used successfully for therapy include cotrimoxazole, tigecycline, minocycline, quinolones, piperacillin, tazobactam... [3] MS Waleed (2021) - Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is particularly resistant to many antimicrobials, with rifampin potentially an effective medication. [4] Several authors have identified vancomycin as the drug of choice for neonatal meningitis, although others have pointed out that vancomycin MICs for nearly all... [5] P Joshi (2019) - Drugs known to be active and used successfully for therapy include cotrimoxazole, tigecycline, minocycline, quinolones, piperacillin, tazobactam... [6] IY Comba (2022) - Role of vancomycin in the treatment of bacteraemia and meningitis caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. [7] EA Neuner (2012) - Blood cultures from POD 6 also grew E. meningoseptica. The organism was susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin... [8] HD Joo (2015) - E. meningoseptica was most often susceptible to minocycline (27, 90%) and fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin (20, 66.7%) and ciprofloxacin (18, 60%). [9] 2022 - showed that combination therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam and TMP-SMX or fluroquinolone has high rates of micro- biological cure for E. meningoseptica...

Obsolete Differential Diagnosis for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Meningitis

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, also known as Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, is a bacterium that was previously associated with meningitis. However, due to its rarity and the emergence of more common causes of meningitis, the differential diagnosis for this condition has become less relevant.

That being said, in the past, the following conditions were considered in the differential diagnosis for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis:

• Neisseria meningitidis: This bacterium is a common cause of bacterial meningitis and was often considered in the differential diagnosis for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae: Another common cause of bacterial meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae was also considered in the differential diagnosis for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis.
• Haemophilus influenzae: This bacterium can cause meningitis, particularly in children and young adults, and was sometimes considered in the differential diagnosis for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica meningitis.

Current Perspective

With the decline of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica as a common cause of meningitis, these conditions are now more commonly considered in the differential diagnosis. However, it's essential to note that Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is still a rare but serious cause of meningitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

References

• [6] E. meningoseptica predominately causes outbreaks of meningitis in immunocompromised patients, particularly in premature newborns and infants in ...
• [9] Mar 3, 2023 — Elizabethkingia infections have also been known to cause neonatal meningitis and,