Ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes: a rare infant case and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Chryseobacterium indologenes is an uncommon organism that has been documented to cause a variety of invasive infections mostly in hospitalized patients with severe underlying diseases. CASE PRESENTATION: A three-month-old female infant born at term by caesarean section with meningomyelocele and congenital diaphragmatic hernia had two surgeries for the repair of meningomyelocele and diaphragmatic hernia on her 3rd and 14th day, respectively. On the 3rd month of her life, she deteriorated clinically with fever, leukocytosis and increase of acute-phase reactants. Gas exchange condition became worse than it was before. Respiratory secretions, oxygen requirements and ventilator demand increased. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Bacteriological blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid culture test results were negative. C. indologenes was isolated from tracheobronchial secretion sample obtained by endotracheal aspiration. Although susceptible to ciprofloxacin (MIC:0.5 gr/L), levofloxacin and piperacillin–tazobactam, the isolate was resistant to meropenem, imipenem and colistin. She was treated with ciprofloxacin successfully. Her fever resolved and gas exchange condition improved after 72 h of the treatment. The antibiotic treatment was given for a course of 14 days. CONCLUSION: Chryseobacterium indologenes may emerge as a potential pathogen in infants with the factors such as invasive equipment, having underlying diseases and prolonged hospitalization.