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What Is Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia?
Posted on
Sun, 6 Jul 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 6 Jul 2014
Answered on
Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi. I have stenotrophomonas multophilia. Is this a superbug?
Brief Answer:
Not a real superbug
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Stenotrophomonas (Pseudomonas) maltophilia is an aerobic gram-negative bacillus that is found in various fluids found in the hospital setting. Infection by this organism is rarely seen in humans with a well functioning immune system.
Studies have shown that S. maltophilia is consistently susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, the organism is usually sensitive to meropenem, minocycline, respiratory quinolones, or colistin/polymyxin B.
There have been many news articles calling S maltophilia as the newer emerging superbug however this is debatable in the current times with advancing medical research. A superbug is an organism that is difficult to treat and spreads easily. It is harder to accept the claim that S maltophilia deserves the superbug status because this organism accounts for fewer than 1% of bloodstream infections. Concerning response to treatment, the infection is controlled in most patients with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with a rare incidence of drug resistance.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Not a real superbug
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Stenotrophomonas (Pseudomonas) maltophilia is an aerobic gram-negative bacillus that is found in various fluids found in the hospital setting. Infection by this organism is rarely seen in humans with a well functioning immune system.
Studies have shown that S. maltophilia is consistently susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, the organism is usually sensitive to meropenem, minocycline, respiratory quinolones, or colistin/polymyxin B.
There have been many news articles calling S maltophilia as the newer emerging superbug however this is debatable in the current times with advancing medical research. A superbug is an organism that is difficult to treat and spreads easily. It is harder to accept the claim that S maltophilia deserves the superbug status because this organism accounts for fewer than 1% of bloodstream infections. Concerning response to treatment, the infection is controlled in most patients with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with a rare incidence of drug resistance.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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