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What Is Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Question: Hi. I have stenotrophomonas multophilia. Is this a superbug?
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Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not a real superbug

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Stenotrophomonas (Pseudomonas) maltophilia is an aerobic gram-negative bacillus that is found in various fluids found in the hospital setting. Infection by this organism is rarely seen in humans with a well functioning immune system.

Studies have shown that S. maltophilia is consistently susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, the organism is usually sensitive to meropenem, minocycline, respiratory quinolones, or colistin/polymyxin B.

There have been many news articles calling S maltophilia as the newer emerging superbug however this is debatable in the current times with advancing medical research. A superbug is an organism that is difficult to treat and spreads easily. It is harder to accept the claim that S maltophilia deserves the superbug status because this organism accounts for fewer than 1% of bloodstream infections. Concerning response to treatment, the infection is controlled in most patients with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with a rare incidence of drug resistance.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Is Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia?

Brief Answer: Not a real superbug Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Stenotrophomonas (Pseudomonas) maltophilia is an aerobic gram-negative bacillus that is found in various fluids found in the hospital setting. Infection by this organism is rarely seen in humans with a well functioning immune system. Studies have shown that S. maltophilia is consistently susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, the organism is usually sensitive to meropenem, minocycline, respiratory quinolones, or colistin/polymyxin B. There have been many news articles calling S maltophilia as the newer emerging superbug however this is debatable in the current times with advancing medical research. A superbug is an organism that is difficult to treat and spreads easily. It is harder to accept the claim that S maltophilia deserves the superbug status because this organism accounts for fewer than 1% of bloodstream infections. Concerning response to treatment, the infection is controlled in most patients with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with a rare incidence of drug resistance. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek