What is the likely identification of a sputum culture from a cystic fibrosis patient that grew a predominance of oxidase-negative, short gram-negative rods?

What is the likely identification of a sputum culture from a cystic fibrosis patient that grew a predominance of oxidase-negative, short gram-negative rods?

• A. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
• B. Acinetobacter baumannii
• C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• D. Burkholderia cepacia

Answer: (A)

The identification of a sputum culture from a cystic fibrosis patient that grew a predominance of oxidase-negative, short gram-negative rods points strongly toward Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This organism is known to be a common pathogen in individuals with cystic fibrosis, particularly in those who have frequent hospitalizations and experienced multiple antibiotic therapies. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is characterized by its oxidase-negative reaction and its growth as a short rod, which aligns with the details in the question. In the context of cystic fibrosis, this organism can thrive in the uniquely challenging lung environment of these patients. It can cause respiratory infections that are often difficult to treat due to its resistance to many common antibiotics, further complicating the management of the patient's underlying condition. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is often misidentified due to its similarity to other antibiotic-resistant pathogens, but its distinct characteristics make it a likely candidate in the context provided. Other organisms listed, while relevant to respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis, either do not fit the oxidase-negative criterion or are less common in this specific patient population. For instance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is typically oxidase-positive and more common in cystic fibrosis

The identification of a sputum culture from a cystic fibrosis patient that grew a predominance of oxidase-negative, short gram-negative rods points strongly toward Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This organism is known to be a common pathogen in individuals with cystic fibrosis, particularly in those who have frequent hospitalizations and experienced multiple antibiotic therapies. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is characterized by its oxidase-negative reaction and its growth as a short rod, which aligns with the details in the question.

In the context of cystic fibrosis, this organism can thrive in the uniquely challenging lung environment of these patients. It can cause respiratory infections that are often difficult to treat due to its resistance to many common antibiotics, further complicating the management of the patient's underlying condition. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is often misidentified due to its similarity to other antibiotic-resistant pathogens, but its distinct characteristics make it a likely candidate in the context provided.

Other organisms listed, while relevant to respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis, either do not fit the oxidase-negative criterion or are less common in this specific patient population. For instance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is typically oxidase-positive and more common in cystic fibrosis