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PubMed1999

Flavobacterium spp. organisms as opportunistic bacterial pathogens during advanced HIV disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of Flavobacterium spp. infection in patients with HIV disease. METHODS: Clinical charts of 2412 consecutive HIV-infected patients hospitalized in a 8-year period were retrospectively reviewed, to identify all cases of Flavobacterium spp. infections, and to evaluate their occurrence and outcome according to several epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Six patients out of 2412 (0.25%), developed Flavobacterium spp. complications: septicaemia in five cases, and pneumonia in the remaining patient, with F. meningosepticum and F. odoratum isolated in two cases and one case, respectively, and unnamed Flavobacterium spp. organisms in the remaining three cases. Flavobacterium spp. organisms were responsible for six out of 1939 overall episodes of non-mycobacterial bacterial diseases observed in our patient group (0.31%). All patients were severely immunocompromised, showing a prior diagnosis of AIDS, a mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of 64.2 (range 12-187) cells/microl, and a mean neutrophil count of 1.143 (range 700-1600) cells (range 700-1600) cells/microl. Antibiotic, corticosteriod, or cotrimoxazole treatment was carried out during the month preceding disease onset by three, two and five patients, respectively. Community-acquired and nosocomial Flavobacterium spp. disease were equally frequent, but the latter occurred with a significantly lower mean neutrophil and CD4+ cell count. Antimicrobial susceptibility assays showed complete sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, and variable resistance to ureidopenicillins, ceftazidime, imipenem, aztreonam, and aminoglycosides. An appropriate antimicrobial regimen obtained clinical and microbiological cure in all cases, in absence of related mortality or relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Since only one episode of HIV-associated F. (Sphingobacterium) multivorum complication has been described to date, our series represents the largest one dealing with Flavobacterium spp. infection in the setting of HIV disease. Our experience suggests that Flavobacterium spp. organisms may play a pathogenic role in patients with advanced HIV disease, even when some commonly recognized risk factors are lacking (i.e. indwelling catheters, instrumentation, IV drug abuse), while a very low CD4+ lymphocyte count, leukopaenia-neutropaenia, and concurrent AIDS-related infectious complications may act as important predisposing factors. In view of the infrequent occurrence of these infections, early suspicion is essential for both clinicians and microbiologists facing immunocompromised patients at risk for invasive bacterial complications. Flavobacterium spp. organisms should be taken into consideration as nosocomial- or community-acquired opportunistic pathogens, due to their relationship with advanced immunodeficiency and their elevated resistance to many antimicrobial agents commonly used against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2005

Flavobacterium granuli sp. nov., isolated from granules used in a wastewater treatment plant.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (designated strain Kw05(T)) was isolated from granules used in the wastewater treatment plant of a beer-brewing factory in Kwang-Ju, Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Kw05(T) was shown to belong to the family Flavobacteriaceae, and was most closely related to Flavobacterium limicola (96.6 %), Flavobacterium hibernum (96.3 %), Flavobacterium hydatis (96.1 %) and Flavobacterium xinjiangense (96.1 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Kw05(T) was 36.2 mol%, within the range of 32-37 mol% for the genus Flavobacterium. Chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone MK-6; major fatty acids iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH, iso-C(15 : 0) 3-OH and iso-C(17 : 1)omega9c) supported the classification of strain Kw05(T) within the genus Flavobacterium. Kw05(T) therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium granuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Kw05(T) (=KCTC 12201(T)=IAM 15099(T)).

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2006

Flavobacterium indicum sp. nov., isolated from warm spring water in Assam, India.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was employed to characterize a strain designated GPTSA100-9T, which was isolated from water sampled from a warm spring. The micro-organism, comprising Gram-negative, strictly aerobic rods, could not grow on nutritionally rich media such as tryptic soy broth. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence (1396 nt) of strain GPTSA100-9T revealed that it is a member of the genus Flavobacterium, sharing 99.8% sequence similarity with the CFB group bacterium strain A0653 (AF236016), 93.4% with '[Flexibacter] aurantiacus subsp. excathedrus' and 93.2-92.0% with Flavobacterium saliperosum, Flavobacterium soli, Flavobacterium aquatile and Flavobacterium columnare. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 31.0 mol%. The major fatty acids of the strain grown on modified R2A agar were iso-C15:0 (18.5%), iso-C15:1 G (18.0%), summed feature 3 (iso-C15:0 2-OH and/or C16:1omega7c, 16.6%) and iso-C17:0 3-OH (9.0%). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain GPTSA100-9T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium indicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GPTSA100-9T (=MTCC 6936T=DSM 17447T).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Riemerella anatipestifer gen. nov., comb. nov., the causative agent of septicemia anserum exsudativa, and its phylogenetic affiliation within the Flavobacterium-Cytophaga rRNA homology group.

The phylogenetic position of the causative agent of septicemia anserum exsudativa, now most often referred to as [Moraxella] anatipestifer (brackets indicate a generically misnamed taxon) or "[Pasteurella] anatipestifer," was established by performing rRNA cistron similarity studies. [Moraxella] anatipestifer belongs to rRNA superfamily V, together with the genera Flavobacterium, Cytophaga, Flexibacter, Weeksella, Capnocytophaga, and Sphingobacterium. The detailed structure of rRNA superfamily V, which now contains five major rRNA homology groups, is described. An analysis of various phenotypic parameters, including new data (cellular proteins and fatty acids) and previously published data (respiratory quinones, enzyme activities, and classical phenotypic features), revealed that [Moraxella] anatipestifer differs in many aspects from its closest relatives, Flavobacterium indologenes, Flavobacterium gleum, Flavobacterium indoltheticum, Flavobacterium balustinum, Flavobacterium meningosepticum, and Weeksella zoohelcum. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicate that this organism should be placed in a separate genus; the name Riemerella anatipestifer gen. nov., comb. nov. is proposed for this bacterium. The specific epithet anatipestifer is kept in order to avoid nomenclatural confusion. However, it should be emphasized that the illness caused by this organism is a septicemic disease which is not restricted to ducks.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Flavobacterium soli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped Flavobacterium-like bacterial strain, DS-6T, was isolated from soil from the island of Dokdo, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain DS-6T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C in the presence of 0-0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 36.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain DS-6T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain DS-6T and the type strains of Flavobacterium species were below 95.4 %. Strain DS-6T differed from some phylogenetically related Flavobacterium species in several phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, DS-6T (=KCTC 12542T=CIP 108840T) was classified in the genus Flavobacterium as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium soli sp. nov. is proposed.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed2006

Flavobacterium glaciei sp. nov., a novel psychrophilic bacterium isolated from the China No.1 glacier.

A novel psychrophilic, yellow-pigmented and obligate aerobic bacterium, strain 0499(T), was isolated from the China No.1 glacier. Strain 0499(T) displayed the common phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features of the genus Flavobacterium, containing menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the major quinone and C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), C(17 : 1)omega6c and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c/iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) as the major fatty acids. Optimal growth occurred at 21 degrees C. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain 0499(T) was related to members of the genus Flavobacterium, sharing the highest sequence similarities with Flavobacterium succinicans (97.9 %), Flavobacterium granuli (97.4 %) and Flavobacterium hydatis (97.2 %). On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness data, a novel species Flavobacterium glaciei is proposed with strain 0499(T) (=CGMCC 1.5380(T)=JCM 13953(T)) as the type strain.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed2006

Characterization of strong promoters from an environmental Flavobacterium hibernum strain by using a green fluorescent protein-based reporter system.

We developed techniques for the genetic manipulation of Flavobacterium species and used it to characterize several promoters found in these bacteria. Our studies utilized Flavobacterium hibernum strain W22, an environmental strain we isolated from tree hole habitats of mosquito larvae. Plasmids from F. hibernum strain W22 were more efficiently (approximately 1,250-fold) transferred by electroporation into F. hibernum strain W22 than those isolated from Escherichia coli, thus indicating that an efficient restriction barrier exists between these species. The strong promoter, tac, functional in proteobacteria, did not function in Flavobacterium strains. Therefore, a promoter-trap plasmid, pSCH03, containing a promoterless gfpmut3 gene was constructed. A library of 9,000 clones containing chromosomal fragments of F. hibernum strain W22 in pSCH03 was screened for their ability to drive expression of the promoterless gfpmut3 gene. Twenty strong promoters were used for further study. The transcription start points were determined from seven promoter clones by the 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. Promoter consensus sequences from Flavobacterium were identified as TAnnTTTG and TTG, where n is any nucleotide, centered approximately 7 and 33 bp upstream of the transcription start site, respectively. A putative novel ribosome binding site consensus sequence is proposed as TAAAA by aligning the 20-bp regions upstream of the translational start site in 25 genes. Our primary results demonstrate that at least some promoter and ribosome binding site motifs of Flavobacterium strains are unusual within the bacterial domain and suggest an early evolutionary divergence of this bacterial group. The techniques presented here allow for more detailed genetics-based studies and analyses of Flavobacterium species in the environment.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of fish-borne Flavobacterium johnsoniae-like isolates from aquaculture systems in South Africa.

Fish infections caused by pathogenic Flavobacterium species are a major problem in the aquaculture industry worldwide, often leading to large economic losses. Thirty-two Flavobacterium spp. isolates, obtained from various diseased fish species and biofilm growth, were characterised genetically using 16S rDNA PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR, repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) element PCR, plasmid profiling, whole cell protein (WCP) and outer membrane protein (OMP) analyses. Although the Flavobacterium spp. isolates displayed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity when differentiated by RAPD-PCR, REP-PCR and OMP fingerprinting techniques, isolates appeared very homogeneous by plasmid profiling and WCP analysis. No specific correlation was observed between the RAPD, REP and/or OMP profiles and fish host, site of isolation, geographic location or date of isolation of the Flavobacterium spp. isolates. Experimental infection of tilapia fish revealed variable levels of virulence and pathogenicity by isolates following handling stress and could not be linked to specific molecular types. This is the first reported isolation and characterisation of Flavobacterium johnsoniae-like spp. isolated from diseased fish in Southern Africa.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Flavobacterium frigidimaris sp. nov., isolated from Antarctic seawater.

We described the polyphasic characterization of the psychrotolerant isolated from Antarctic seawater. The strain was closely related to Flavobacterium hydatis, F. pectinovorum, and F. saccharophilum on the basis of the 16S rDNA sequence analysis. However, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that the DNA-similarities between strain KUC-1T and the reference strains of Flavobacterium were less than 30%. Therefore, we can definite a new species of Flavobacterium phylogenetically, and strain KUC-1T can be considered to be a new species of Flavobacterium. i.e. F. frigidimaris (KUC-1T: JCM 12218T and DSM 15937T; mol% G+C of DNA of the type strain is 34.5 mol%). Useful phenotypical features for discrimination of F. frigidimaris from other Flavobacterium species, such as a resistance to NaCl, optimum growth temperature, and cellular fatty acid composition, were also determined.

Antarctic Regions↗
PubMed1998

Psychroflexus torquis gen. nov., sp. nov., a psychrophilic species from Antarctic sea ice, and reclassification of Flavobacterium gondwanense (Dobson et al. 1993) as Psychroflexus gondwanense gen. nov., comb. nov.

A group of sea-ice-derived psychrophilic bacterial strains possessing the unusual ability to synthesize the polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega 3) and arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6) belong to the Family Flavobacteriaceae (Flexibacter-Bacteroides-Flavobacterium phylum), according to 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Surprisingly, the isolates were also found to cluster closely to the moderately halophilic and psychrotrophic species [Flavobacterium] gondwanense (sequence similarity 97.8-98.1%). The whole-cell fatty acid profiles of this group and [Flavobacterium] gondwanense were very similar and distinct from other related flavobacteria. The sea ice strains and [Flavobacterium] gondwanense differed substantially in terms of ecophysiology, possibly representing divergent adaptations to sympagic and planktonic marine habitats, respectively. Evidence based on phylogeny and fatty acid profiles supports the conclusion that the taxa are close relatives distinct from other bacterial groups. It is thus proposed that the sea ice strains represent a novel taxon designated Psychroflexus torquis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain ACAM 623T) while [Flavobacterium] gondwanense becomes Psychroflexus gondwanense gen. nov., comb. nov.

Antarctic Regions↗
PubMed2003

Flavobacterium limicola sp. nov., a psychrophilic, organic-polymer-degrading bacterium isolated from freshwater sediments.

Three novel strains of cold-adapted bacteria, ST-82T, ST-10 and ST-92, were isolated from freshwater sediments. These three isolates were very similar to each other in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, as well as in 16S rDNA sequence. The strains were Gram-negative, elongated filament-like rods that formed bright yellow colonies. They showed neither flexirubin pigments nor gliding motility. The strains were able to hydrolyse casein, gelatin, starch, agar, aesculin, urea, uric acid and tyrosine. They also lysed cells of Escherichia coil and Pseudomonas putida. The temperature range for growth was 0-25 degrees C, with optimum growth occurring at 15-20 degrees C. For all isolates, protease secretion increased as temperature decreased. Sodium chloride inhibited their growth, although the strains tolerated up to 1.5% (w/v) NaCl. Menaquinone-6 was the major respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C15:1, iso-C15:1, C16 : 1omega7cis, iso-C16 : 1, iso-C17 : 1, iso-C15 : 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G + C content was 34.0-34.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences suggested that the strains belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and were closely related to Flavobacterium xanthum and Flavobacterium frigidarium, with sequence similarities of 96.9 and 96.3%, respectively. In physiological and biochemical analyses, the isolates were differentiated from all known members of the genus Flavobacterium. The name Flavobacterium limicola is proposed for these novel strains, and the type strain is ST-82T (=JCM 11473T =DSM 15094T).

Base Composition↗
PubMed2003

Flavobacterium gelidilacus sp. nov., isolated from microbial mats in Antarctic lakes.

Twenty-two isolates from microbial mats in eastern Antarctic lakes showed similar fatty acid compositions and were investigated further using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Repetitive extragenic palindromic DNA-PCR fingerprinting of the 22 strains revealed three groups, and DNA-DNA hybridizations between representatives showed more than 87 % DNA-DNA reassociation with each other. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed two representative strains, LMG 21477(T) and LMG 21619, within the genus Flavobacterium, with 95.1 % sequence similarity to Flavobacterium flevense, 95.0 % to Flavobacterium tegetincola, less than 95 % to other Flavobacterium species and less than 90 % to representatives of other genera. The name Flavobacterium gelidilacus sp. nov. is proposed, with LMG 21477(T) (=DSM 15343(T)) as the type strain, and a description of the species is given on the basis of morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics and fatty acid composition. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 30.0-30.4 mol%.

Antarctic Regions↗
PubMed2005

Flavobacterium antarcticum sp. nov., a novel psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from the Antarctic.

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative and aerobic bacterial strain, designated AT1026(T), was isolated from a terrestrial sample from the Antarctic. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the Antarctic isolate belonged to the genus Flavobacterium, with the highest sequence similarity to Flavobacterium tegetincola (96.4 %). Cells were non-motile, non-gliding and psychrotolerant, with optimum and maximum temperatures of about 20 and 25 degrees C. Flexirubins were absent. The major isoprenoid quinone (MK-6), predominant cellular fatty acids (iso-C(15 : 1) G, iso-C(15 : 0) and a mixture of C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and DNA G+C content (38 mol%) of the Antarctic isolate were consistent with those of the genus Flavobacterium. In contrast, several phenotypic characters can be used to differentiate this isolate from other flavobacteria. The polyphasic data presented in this study indicated that this isolate should be classified as a novel species in the genus Flavobacterium. The name Flavobacterium antarcticum sp. nov. is therefore proposed for the Antarctic isolate; the type strain is AT1026(T) (=IMSNU 14042(T)=KCTC 12222(T)=JCM 12383(T)).

Antarctic Regions↗
PubMed1985

A numerical taxonomic study of Flavobacterium-Cytophaga strains from dairy sources.

Phenotypic data on 203 Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria of the Flavobacterium-Cytophaga group isolated from milk and butter were analyzed by numerical taxonomic techniques. Twenty reference strains including species of Flavobacterium, Cytophaga and strains of Pseudomonas paucimobilis were included in the study. Using the matching coefficient of Sokal & Michener with antibiotic susceptibility data included, 189 isolates were recovered in nine clusters. Six of these clusters were linked at or above the 85% S level while three were linked at or above the 79% S level. The largest cluster, representing 46.3% of the isolates, could be equated with Flavobacterium sp. Group IIb. Other clusters could be equated with Flavobacterium sp. L 16/1 (22.7% of isolates), F. balustinum (10.8% of isolates), F. breve (4.4%), F. multivorum (3.5%) and Cytophaga johnsonae (1.5%). The cluster resembling Flavobacterium sp. L 16/1 and a smaller unclassified cluster, were exceptional in being susceptible to the antibiotics cephalothin and penicillin G.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Flavobacterium psychrophilum in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), hatcheries: studies on broodstock, eggs, fry and environment.

The occurrence of Flavobacterium psychrophilum at four rainbow trout hatcheries was investigated to provide more knowledge about the reservoirs and transmission of this bacterium. Broodstock were sampled at stripping (including both unfertilized and fertilized eggs), and the offspring were then sampled at the eyed egg and fry stages. Water and surface samples (e.g. hatchery trays) were also sampled. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was found in ovarian fluid and milt, indicating that broodstock may serve as a reservoir and are latent carriers of the pathogen. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was not found on or inside eggs, but further egg studies will be necessary to elucidate the possibility of vertical transmission of the pathogen. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was isolated from water samples, but only from water that had been in close contact with farmed rainbow trout or eggs. Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates were characterized and compared with well-characterized strains, using degradation of elastin, serotype and ribotype profiles. Different ribotypes of F. psychrophilum were found between hatcheries, but a common ribotype A was found at all four hatcheries. Different ribotypes were found in broodstock without clinical disease, whereas only a few ribotypes (mostly ribotype A) were found in diseased fry. The same ribotype A was found in broodstock, in water samples from hatchery trays and in fry, which suggests the possibility of transmission of F. psychrophilum between broodstock and offspring.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Identification of a plasmid-borne parathion hydrolase gene from Flavobacterium sp. by southern hybridization with opd from Pseudomonas diminuta.

Parathion hydrolases have been previously described for an American isolate of Pseudomonas diminuta and a Philippine isolate of Flavobacterium sp. (ATCC 27551). The gene which encodes the broad-spectrum organophosphate phosphotriesterase in P. diminuta has been shown by other investigators to be located on a 66-kilobase (kb) plasmid. The intact gene (opd, organophosphate-degrading gene) from this degradative plasmid was cloned into M13mp10 and found to express parathion hydrolase under control of the lac promoter in Escherichia coli. In Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 27551, a 43-kb plasmid was associated with the production of parathion hydrolase by curing experiments. The M13mp10-cloned fragment of the opd gene from P. diminuta was used to identify a homologous genetic region from Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 27551. Southern hybridization experiments demonstrated that a genetic region from the 43-kb Flavobacterium sp. plasmid possessed significant homology to the opd sequence. Similar hybridization did not occur with three other native Flavobacterium sp. plasmids (approximately 23, 27, and 51 kb) present within this strain or with genomic DNA from cured strains. Restriction mapping of various recombinant DNA molecules containing subcloned fragments of both opd plasmids revealed that the restriction maps of the two opd regions were similar, if not identical, for all restriction endonucleases tested thus far. In contrast, the restriction maps of the cloned plasmid sequences outside the opd regions were not similar. Thus, it appears that the two discrete bacterial plasmids from parathion-hydrolyzing soil bacteria possess a common but limited region of sequence homology within potentially nonhomologous plasmid structures.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Parathion hydrolase specified by the Flavobacterium opd gene: relationship between the gene and protein.

The sequence of a 1,693-base-pair plasmid DNA fragment from Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 27551 containing the parathion hydrolase gene (opd) was determined. Within this sequence, there is only one open reading frame large enough to encode the 35,000-dalton membrane-associated hydrolase protein purified from Flavobacterium extracts. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the purified Flavobacterium hydrolase demonstrated that serine is the amino-terminal residue of the hydrolase protein. The amino-terminal serine corresponds to a TCG codon located 87 base pairs downstream of the presumptive ATG initiation codon in the nucleotide sequence. The amino acid composition of the purified protein agrees well with that predicted from the nucleotide sequence, using serine as the amino-terminal residue. These data suggest that the parathion hydrolase protein is processed at its amino terminus in Flavobacterium sp. Construction in Escherichia coli of a lacZ-opd gene fusion in which the first 33 amino-terminal residues of opd were replaced by the first 5 residues of lacZ resulted in the production of an active hydrolase identical in molecular mass to the hydrolase isolated from Flavobacterium sp. E. coli cells containing the lacZ-opd fusion showed higher levels of hydrolase activity than did cells containing the parent plasmid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

[Purulent meningitis due to flavobacterium meningosepticum in Cameroonian children].

Following a number of reports of purulent CSF specimens positive for Flavobacterium meningosepticum in pediatric patients in Yaoundé, a prospective study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics of the Central Yaoundé Hospital from December 1988 through December 1989. The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of Flavobacterium meningosepticum among infants and children with purulent meningitis, to discover the origin of this pathogen, and to examine its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Flavobacterium meningosepticum (18.4% of cases) was second by order of incidence, after pneumococci (50%). Incidences were low for the other pathogens usually described in purulent meningitis (H. influenzae, meningococcus...). All the pneumococcus strains recovered were susceptible to ampicillin. In contrast, 21.43% of strains of Flavobacterium meningosepticum were resistant to both ampicillin and chloramphenicol (the combination currently used as first line therapy in the Department), and 14.25% of strains were resistant to cefotaxime. The origin of the Flavobacterium meningosepticum strains found remains to be discovered. The low incidence of H. influenzae deserves to be reevaluated over the next few years.

Adolescent↗