Epidemiological Study and Analysis of Risk Factors for Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica Infection in a Large General Hospital in China

Abstract Background As a kind of nosocomial infection pathogen which can cause high mortality, its susceptibility and death risk factors are still unclear. Aim To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of and risk factors for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection. Methods Relevant literature from 2011 to 2019 with the key words “E. meningoseptica” or “Elizabethkingia meningoseptica” in the title and abstract was retrieved from the PubMed database. The risk factors of infection and death for infected patients treated at Southwest Hospital during the above period were analyzed by logistic regression. Results From 2011 to 2019, 366 patients infected with E. meningoseptica were reported in 132 articles in the PubMed database. The mortality rate was 63.20%. During the same period, 92 infected patients were treated at our hospital. The overall mortality rate was approximately 28.3% (26/92) to 39.1% (36/92). The resistance rate for carbapenems was 100%; for cephalosporins, it was more than 90%; and for minocycline, it was 0. Central venous catheterization (p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.015), bacteria type (p < 0.001), operation type (p = 0.001), fungal infection (p < 0.001), carbapenem use (p = 0.000), and triazole use (p = 0.016) were independent risk factors for E. meningoseptica infection. According to logistic regression, bacteria type (p = 0.037), platelet level (p = 0.014), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.043) were risk factors for death. Conclusion The incidence of E. meningoseptica infection worldwide shows a trend toward increasing yearly. Invasive operations, multiple bacterial or fungal infections and the use of carbapenems may be predisposing factors, and platelet level, bacteria type, and mechanical ventilation were risk factors for death.