Treatment Failure Due to Adaptive Resistance Mechanisms in a Severe and Complicated Bloodstream Infection Due to Elizabethkingia meningoseptica

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an uncommonly encountered multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterium that causes infections primarily among vulnerable hosts. A true opportunistic pathogen, its ability to cause severe sepsis and complicated infection in selected patients has been noted. Very limited preclinical and clinical data exist with regard to suitable therapeutic options. In this study, we present the case of prolonged bloodstream and central nervous system infection due to E. meningoseptica treated with dose-optimized combination antibiotic therapy, with evidence of microbiological (including development of adaptive resistance mechanisms) and clinical failure.

Automated summary

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a rare multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterium that primarily causes infections in vulnerable hosts. It can cause severe sepsis and complicated infections, and there is limited data on suitable therapeutic options. This study presents a case of prolonged bloodstream and central nervous system infection due to E. meningoseptica, treated with dose-optimized combination antibiotic therapy, but showed evidence of microbiological and clinical failure.