Pathogenic Potential and Control of Chryseobacterium Species from Clinical, Fish, Food and Environmental Sources

Abstract

<i>Chryseobacterium</i> species are isolated and taxonomically evaluated from a wide range of sources. While <i>C. gleum</i> and <i>C. indologenes</i> have been implicated in human disease, the potential pathogenicity of numerous other species have not been investigated. The aims were therefore to evaluate 37 <i>Chryseobacterium</i> species and <i>Elizabethkingia meningoseptica</i> from environmental, food, fish, water and clinical sources for production of haemolysis, growth at 37 °C, and production of virulence enzymes. The control of these strains were investigated by determination of antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance. All the species produced α- or β-haemolysis. In terms of growth at 37 °C and production of virulence enzymes, <i>C. soldanellicola</i> (environmental), <i>C. oranimense</i> (food) and <i>C. koreense</i> (natural mineral water) could be potential human pathogens. <i>Chryseobacterium piscium</i> might be pathogenic to fish. Trimethoprim could be the most effective antimicrobial for the treatment of a <i>Chryseobacterium</i> species infection, while the disinfectants that contain poly-dimethyl ammonium chloride or benzalkonium chloride could be regarded as the most effective for decontamination of surfaces contaminated with <i>Chryseobacterium</i> species.