Abstract Background Chryseobacterium species are ubiquitous in nature that can be found in soil, water, sinks, and medical devices. They have been implicated in various infections including ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), skin and soft tissue infections, and meningitis. C. indologenes has been shown to possess an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) that render it resistant to most antibiotics. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data are required to help clinicians choose effective empiric antibiotics and to investigate potential resistance mechanisms. Methods Chryseobacterium spp. identification was determined prior to submission by client laboratories or performed in our laboratory by MALDI-TOF (Bruker Biotyper) or 16S rRNA gene sequencing. AST was performed on Chryseobacterium species isolates received from across the United States between April 2004 and December 2018. AST was performed using custom-made broth microdilution panels, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were interpreted using CLSI M100 MIC breakpoints for non-Enterobacterales organisms. Isolates from a range of clinical specimens including blood, respiratory, wound, tissue, bone, and body fluids were included. Quality control was performed using Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Results were included only if the QC values were within range. The MIC50, MIC90, and MIC ranges for antimicrobials for frequently tested Chryseobacterium species were determined. Results AST was completed for 245 Chryseobacterium species clinical isolates, and the most frequently tested species were C. gleum/ indologenes (n = 78), C. hominis (n = 25), C. taklimakanense (n = 14), C. anthropi/ haifense (n = 12), C. arthrospharae (n = 12), C. bernardetii/jejuense (n = 3), C. pallidum (n = 3), and C. solincola/treverense (n = 3). 84 isolates were unable to be identified to species level, and were grouped as “Chryseobacterium spp.” Regarding susceptibility, across all Chryseobacterium species, the antibiotics with the most activity included minocycline (97.8%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX; 95.5%), levofloxacin (92.3%), and ciprofloxacin (82.8%). Comparing the β-lactams, piperacillin-tazobactam had the most activity (59.7%), whereas ceftazidime (42.2%), cefepime (44.3%), meropenem (41.2%), and imipenem (46.3%) had similar low activity. The highest resistance rates were found for tobramycin (96%), aztreonam (94.6%), and gentamicin (62.7%). Among the Chryseobacterium isolates, certain species were found to be largely pan-susceptible, including C. anthropic/haifense, C. hominis, and C. taklimakanense. Conclusions Chryseobacterium species display significant resistance against β-lactam antibiotics, which are often used for empiric therapy. Minocycline, TMP-SMX, and fluoroquinolones have the most activity against Chryseobacterium species clinical isolates.
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