The genus Ralstonia: The new kid on the block

J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2023 Mar;53(1):44-52. doi: 10.1177/14782715221145579. Epub 2023 Jan 22.

Abstract

The genus Ralstonia comprises of aerobic, gram-negative, oxidase positive, nonfermentative, largely environmental organisms. They are an emerging pathogen in the hospital setting and are increasingly associated with opportunistic infections and outbreaks. We hereby present a case series of six patients diagnosed with bacteraemia caused by Ralstonia spp. and a brief review of literature. These cases highlight that isolation of a nonfermenting gram-negative bacillus from blood culture of a patient admitted in critical care setting should not be ignored as mere contaminant. Clinicians and microbiologists need to work as a team to combat this novel bug.

Keywords: ICU; Ralstonia; fever; nil fermenter; opportunistic; sepsis.

MeSH terms

  • Critical Care
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Ralstonia