Rhizobium radiobacter – a new pathogen of healthcare-associated infections

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study of cases of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients with a central venous access catheter installed for long-term infusion of medications to treat the main disease. It is known that intravascular devices are a risk factor for the development of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). Therefore, conducting an epidemiological study of implanted vascular catheters is an important component of infection control in healthcare facilities. During the bacteriological study of blood samples from the central catheter (using BACT/ALERT FA Plus, the BACT/ALERT 3D blood culture system and nutrient media), 19 cultures were obtained, which were identified as Rhizobium radiobacter using the automated VITEK-2 Systems (bioMerieux, Inc). In the vast majority, all isolated strains demonstrated high sensitivity to antibiotics. However, 100% resistance was found to some antibiotics. Isolation of Rhizobium radiobacter from the blood of patients encourages the expansion of the etiological structure of catheter-associated bloodstream infections and confirms the importance of epidemiological surveillance of implanted intravascular devices.