Abstract

Myroides species is an emerging source of infection and subsequent sepsis that often develops multidrug and even extensively drug resistance showing nonsusceptibility to usual empiric antibiotics. These gram-negative bacilli are ubiquitous bacteria that are recognized as opportunistic human pathogens, usually being found in water and soil. This is a case report of an extensively drug-resistant Myroides spp that was isolated from the urine sample of an oncology patient who presented to the hospital with urosepsis and acute urinary retention. The case report is followed by a review of the literature regarding sepsis and septic shock, Myroides spp-related, in patients subsequently admitted in the ICU. Even though there are reports of severe infections in immune-competent patients, most often it occurs in immune-compromised patients, and this case study is a novelty because it particularly deals with Myroides spp infection in a cancer patient. In conclusion, this case along with others reported in the literature should raise awareness about the possibility of infection with this particular bacillus because in recent years it appears to be the cause of emerging and often severe infections. Of importance is the antimicrobial resistance profile of Myroides spp, as this organism is most often being classified as multidrug-resistant and even extensively drug-resistant. This report on infections with Myroides has an important significance for ICU professionals dealing with severe infections not because it remains a rarity as a source of sepsis and thus not studied at large but because of its low antibiotic susceptibility profile.