The Elizabethkingia genus is formed by a group of gram-negative, aerobic, and nonfermenting bacteria widely distributed in nature and environments, such as water and hospital taps (1). In 2003, a new a bacterial species was identified in the condensation water obtained from the Mir space station in 1997 and was assigned as Chryseobacterium miricola (2). That new species was later transferred to the Elizabethkingia genus and renamed Elizabethkingia miricola (3). This species is considered as an uncommon low-pathogenic agent in clinical samples, acting as an opportunistic pathogen, but since 2008, it has become an emerging bacterium of increasing relevance (4). E. miricola has not been fully epidemiologically characterized but is considered intrinsically resistant to multiple drugs (5).

We describe a cluster of E. miricola in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Hospital Universitario San Cecilio in Granada, Spain. The index case corresponded to a 66-year-old man hospitalized for COVID-19. The microbiology service identified E. miricola isolates from a bronchial aspirate sample by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and informed the ICU of a positive result on March 19, 2021. Two days later, a 70-year-old man hospitalized in the same unit for COVID-19 also tested positive for E. miricola in a bronchial aspirate sample sent for a previous diagnosis with tracheobronchitis associated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Throughout 2021, we found 13 more cases of E. miricola in the same ICU. Given the identification of the same species, and for clinical and epidemiologic criteria, the outbreak was considered nosocomial. However, although isolates were retained for potential future research, no whole-genome sequencing could be performed because the species is not included as special surveillance agent for the Andalusian Health System because of resource limitations. The reason for admission in 11 (73.3%) patients was COVID-19. Of the 15 case-patients, 11 (73.3%) were men and 4 (26.7%) women, 6 (40.0%) had tracheobronchitis diagnoses, 3 (20.0%) had ventilator-associated pneumonia, and 1 (6.7%) had catheter-related bacteremia; 8 (53.3%) patients died (Table).

All patients received steroid treatment during their ICU stays. All case-patients were intubated during their hospitalization. The average length of ICU stay was 43.8 days, and the length between admission and identification of the agent was long, a mean of 26.4 days.

Because 290 days elapsed from identification of the index case (March 19) to identification of the last case (December 30), we assumed persistence of the agent in the ICU environment. Nevertheless, despite a search of environmental and surface samples, the definitive focus of persistence was not identified. Because of possible cross-transmission in a unit with such vulnerable patients, we notified the Service of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, which initiated prevention measures. Because of the lack of available knowledge related to E. miricola and closely related species, we reinforced standard precautions and established contact precautions. Finally, by December 2021, we conducted a thorough disinfection of all surfaces in the ICU, after which no more cases were identified.

In other countries, cases of multidrug resistance were identified in the context of antimicrobial drug pressure and cases of sepsis and pneumonia were diagnosed among immunosuppressed patients (5). In our hospital, 8 (53.3%) patients died. The average time from bacterial isolation to death was 18.2 (range 2–65) days.

Elisabethkingia isolates are usually resistant to multiple antibiotics. In analyses of different isolates collected in South Korea and Taiwan (5), all E. miricola isolates were resistant to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems. Those data are similar to results obtained in our hospital (Table). A study conducted in Switzerland found genes encoding metallo-β-lactamases in a multidrug-resistant E. miricola isolated from the urine of a 2-year-old boy (6). Those genes provide resistance to penicillin-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, carbapenems, cefotaxime, and cefoxitin. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole showed the best antibiogram sensitivity in our outbreak, only 1 of 15 patients showed resistance (Table).

In summary, our study underlines the need to find Elizabethkingia spp. bacteria in ICUs. In addition, all species in the Elizabethkingia genus should be listed as special surveillance bacteria due to their capacity to cause major illness and death in vulnerable patients. Future studies analyzing differences in the outcomes between patients with E. miricola and other patients admitted to ICU, including patient characteristics and treatments, could expand on the information provided in this study. Finally, to enable early detection of outbreaks of intrinsically antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, modify patient treatment, and save lives, whole-genome sequencing needs to be instituted when rare agents not previously considered for special surveillance are identified.

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