J Pediatr Infect Dis 2012; 07(01): 031-035
DOI: 10.3233/JPI-2012-0337
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Chryseobacterium indologenes: Distinguishing pathogen from contaminant in a neonate

Jennifer Smith
a   Department of Infectious Diseases, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
,
Rachel Han
b   Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
,
Tim Mailman
a   Department of Infectious Diseases, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
,
Noni MacDonald
a   Department of Infectious Diseases, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

02 July 2012

02 July 2012

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

Chryseobacterium indologenes (C. indologenes) is a rarely described clinical isolate, especially in pediatric patients. We report the second case of C. indologenes isolated from a neonatal endotracheal tube in an infant with Escherichia coli septicemia. The challenge of distinguishing colonization, contamination and infection for this microorganism is discussed. Additionally, the resistance of C. indologenes to antibiotics used in pediatric medicine is raised as a significant challenge for therapeutic measures. We review nine cases of pediatric C. indologenes infection published in the English medical literature. C. indologenes is likely of low pathogenicity in the pediatric population.