Microbiology
Nonfermenting gram-negative rods, includes A. denitrificans, A. faecalis, A. piechaudii, A. xylosoxidans, and others. Some have been renamed Achromobacter.
Epidemiologic Risks
Found in soil and water; some are found in gi tracts (A. faecalis).
Syndromes
Various infections in bad hosts, often found in open, icky wounds, such as diabetic foot infections. Animal bites, cats more than dogs.
Also found in cystic fibrosis patients (PubMed).
Treatment
Tends to be resistant. Minocycline, imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin, and piperacillin-tazobactam are the most active, but only 50% of the time (Pubmed). Ceftazidime.
Notes
Quinolones, aminoglycosides, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone and, aztreonam not reliable; A. faecalis is more susceptible.
And as if you didn't know, it makes Welan gum (PubMed).
A. faecalis was first isolated in 1896 from stale beer. Who lets their beer go stale? What an abomination.
Last update: 12/22/19