Infectious Disease Compendium

Sphingomonas

Microbiology

A gram-negative rod. S. paucimobilis and a couple of dozen others.

Epidemiologic Risks

Found in soil and water.

Syndromes

It is a rare cause of healthcare-associated infections with outbreaks in immunocompromised patients in hematology; perhaps related to bacterial colonization of hospital water systems.

Also associated with contaminations in compounding pharmacies (PubMed).

And a hospital outbreak with S. koreensis where it was in the water (PubMed).

Treatment

Susceptible to ceftazadime, ceftriaxone, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, aztreonam, amikacin and gentamicin (PubMed), but test.

Notes

One strain can precipitate uranium.

Curious Cases

Relevant links to my Medscape blog

Water You Talking About

Last Update: 12/31/18.