Outbreak of Arcobacter butzleri? An emerging enteropathogen

Background: Arcobacter butzleri is a gram-negative rod, with microaerobic growth at an optimal temper-ature of 37 degrees C. It was reported to be the fourth most common Campylobacter-like organism isolated from patients with diarrhoea.Objective: Characterise a potential outbreak of A. butzleri detected in a short period of time in the Uni-versity Hospital Marques de Valdecilla.Methods: Eight strains of A. butzleri were detected in our hospital in only two months. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS system and 16S rDNA sequencing. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) were carried out to assess clonal relationship. Gradient strips (Etest) were used to determine susceptibility by agar diffusion.Results: ERIC-PCR and PFGE confirmed the lack of clonal relationship between strains. Erythromycin or ciprofloxacin might be appropriate for antibiotic treatment of infections.Conclusions: A. butzleri is an emerging pathogen with increasing incidence, and may be underestimated.(c) 2021 Sociedad Espanola de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study characterized a potential outbreak of A. butzleri in a short period of time in a university hospital. Eight strains of A. butzleri were identified and their clonal relationship was assessed. Erythromycin or ciprofloxacin were found to be appropriate for antibiotic treatment. A. butzleri is an emerging pathogen with increasing incidence and may be underestimated.