Nosocomial Achromobacter xylosoxidans infections

Abstract

A xylosoxidans is being recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen. As more patients are rendered immunosuppressed by chemotherapy, this organism's increasing role in hospital-acquired infections will be assured. Achromobacter is a water-borne organism, highly resistant to most antibiotics, and even to some disinfectant solutions, and easily establishes itself in the hospital aquatic environment. Achromobacter infections and outbreaks should be recognized and approached as serious problems requiring the institution of appropriate infection control measures. A xylosoxidans infections should be empirically treated with a combination of a third generation cephalosporin and TMP-SMX pending susceptibility testing.