16s rRNA-based phylogenetic analyses of Elizabethkingia anophelis: Detection of Elizabethkingia anophelis, a rare infectious agent from blood and determination of antibiotic susceptibility in Turkey.

PURPOSE: Elizabethkingia anophelis was firstly isolated from the midgut of the Anopheles gambiae mosquito in 2011. After this year, it was isolated in some intensive care cases in Africa and Asia. This study, it was aimed to confirm the identification of E. anophelis in the blood of a pediatric patient.

METHODS

After the suspicious bacteria were grown on blood agar, MALDI-TOF MS and 16s rRNA gene sequencing methods were used to identify and an antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out by Vitek 2 Compact system according to the EUCAST. Finally, a phylogenetic tree was created based on the 16s rRNA gene region.

RESULTS

The isolate was identified as E. anophelis by both methods. It was found to be resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics and also susceptible to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. According to the 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic tree, our isolate clustered within a branch containing other E. anophelis.

CONCLUSION

These findings will guide clinicians in choosing which antibiotic to choose if they encounter this agent. Also, the clinicians should be vigilant against this agent, as it is a newly emerging infectious agent in Turkey.