Stenotrophomonas maltophilia K279a

The Xanthomonadaceae are a family of Gram negative bacteria belonging to the order Xanthomonadales in the gammaproteobacteria. They are typically characterized as environmental organisms and are found in soil and water, as well as plant tissues. Many Xanthomonadaceae, especially species from the genera Xanthomonas and Xylella, cause plant diseases. Only one, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, has isolates known to be opportunistic human pathogens.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (strain K279a) is the third most common nosocomial non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. This is a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen of the Xanthomonadaceae. The organism has been isolated from both clinical and soil environments in addition to the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients and the immunocompromised. Routinely, it resides in showerheads and other moist places where it grows as biofilm. The two most common diseases caused by S. maltophilia are bacteremia and pneumonia with infection being via an indwelling catheter or ventilator, respectively. The sequence reveals an organism with a remarkable capacity for drug and heavy metal resistance. This organism can act as a reservoir of antimicrobial drug resistance determinants in a clinical environment, which is an issue of considerable concern. (HAMAP: STRMK)