Chryseobacterium spp

• C. anthropi
• C. gleum
• C. hominis
• C. indologenes
• C. treverense

Gram Stain

• Gram negative bacilli - nonfermenter

Clinical Significance

These organisms are found in environmental and water sources and are low level pathogens.

They have been recovered from a variety of clinical sources including blood, dialysis fluid, drains and medical devices but in many cases their clinical significance is uncertain.

C. indologenes - associated with bacteremia, pneumonia, and a variety of nosocomial infections usually medical device related.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

These organisms are resistant to multiple antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, colistin, and many beta lactam agents.

Piperacillin-tazobactam often remains susceptible.

Carbapenem resistance has been reported. 

Minocycline/doxycycline are more active than tetracycline.

Susceptibility to TMP/SMX is variable. 

Levofloxacin is more active than ciprofloxacin. 

C. indologenes is often resistant to carbapenems, aztreonam, and aminoglycosides.

Susceptibility to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and TMP/SMX is variable.

C. gleum exhibits broad beta lactam resistance including carbapenems.