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Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi is widely distributed and primarily infects patients with compromised immune functions . Historically, O. anthropi has been considered to possess low toxicity and pathogenicity; however, recent studies suggest that it may in fact cause severe purulent infections. In this case study, we examine a case of O. anthropi infection following corneal transplantation, exploring the occurrence and outcomes of such post-operative infections., Case Presentation: A retrospective analysis of cases involved examinations, genetic testing for diagnosis, and subsequent treatment. In patients undergoing partial penetrating keratoplasty with a fungal corneal ulcer perforation, anterior chamber exudation and purulence were observed post-surgery. Despite antifungal treatment, genetic testing of the anterior chamber fluid and purulent material confirmed O. anthropi infection. The use of antimicrobial treatment specifically targeting O. anthropi was found to be effective in treating the infection., Conclusion: Inflammatory reactions following corneal transplantation should be should be monitored for the presence of other infections. Genetic testing has significant implications for clinical diagnosis and treatment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi spp. is a non-enteric, aerobic gram-negative bacillus that has been reported to cause sepsis and occasionally bacteremia in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. This bacterium is capable of surviving in various habitats, but due to its affinity for aqueous environments, O. anthropi is hypothesized to have an affinity for indwelling plastic devices and other foreign bodies.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 66 y/o male with a history of polysubstance abuse disorder admitted for toxic metabolic encephalopathy and found to have bronchopneumonia and bacteremia secondary to O. anthropi infection resulting in sepsis and cardiopulmonary arrest.

Discussion: Ochrobactrum spp. is an unusual pathogen of low virulence and has been noted to cause bacteremia and occasionally sepsis in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Isolation of this pathogen in the appropriate setting should be considered a true pathogen and treated as such to avoid sequela of this infection.

Conclusion: This case report and literature review suggest that Ochrobactrum anthropi appears more frequently as a pathogen in nosocomial infections than suggested in the literature.

Purpose: To report a case of Ochrobactrum anthropi keratitis in an eye with a Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis., Methods: This is a case report and review of the literature., Results: A 78-year-old man with a history of implantation of a Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis in the left eye presented for a routine follow-up with no acute complaints. In the left eye, visual acuity was 20/60 and slit-lamp examination revealed a 1.5-mm inferotemporal corneal infiltrate adjacent to the optic stem. Corneal cultures grew abundant O. anthropi. After 7 weeks of topical antimicrobial therapy and placement of a temporary tarsorrhaphy, the keratitis resolved., Conclusions: Ochrobactrum anthropi is an organism associated with indwelling medical devices and can be pathogenic in eyes with implanted keratoprostheses., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The use of central venous catheters for hemodialysis continues to grow worldwide, despite the efforts of many specialists. Patients with end-stage renal disease have impaired immunity, which is why infections are the most common complication seen in them. It worsens their quality of life and is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality, especially in hemodialysis patients.We report two cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection in hemodialysis patients caused by Ochrobactrum anthropi, which are the first reported cases in Bulgaria and present a brief literature review of the known facts., (This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

A Gram-negative chlorate-reducing bacterial strain XM-1 was isolated. The 16S rRNA gene sequence identified the isolate as Ochrobactrum anthropi XM-1, which was the first strain of genus Ochrobactrum reported having the ability to reduce chlorate. The optimum growth temperature and pH for strain XM-1 to reduce chlorate was found to be 30 °C and 5.0-7.5, respectively, under anaerobic condition. Strain XM-1 could tolerate high chlorate concentration (200 mM), and utilize a variety of carbohydrates (glucose, L-arabinose, D-fructose, sucrose), glycerin and sodium citrate as electron donors. In addition, oxygen and nitrate could be used as electron acceptors, but perchlorate could not be reduced. Enzyme activities related to chlorate reducing were characterized in cell extracts. Activities of chlorate reductase and chlorite dismutase could be detected in XM-1 cells grown under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, implying the two enzymes were constitutively expressed. This work suggests a high potential of applying Ochrobactrum anthropi XM-1 for remediation of chlorate contamination., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this work was to compare production of endotoxin and to determine susceptibility to antibiotics in two groups of specimens-wild-type strains Ochrobactrum anthropi isolated from the environment and the strains isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis. The determination of the endotoxin produced by the test strains was carried on by using a limulus amebocyte lysate test (LAL test). Determination of ATB sensitivity was accomplished by means of a broth dilution method in a microtiter plate (MIC). No significant difference was found between the group of ochrobacters isolated from the environment and the group of ochrobacters isolated from cystic fibrosis patients. Antibiotic sensitivity testing has indicated that the resistance to tigecycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and gentamicin was slightly higher in strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in comparison with strains isolated from the environment. In general, most of the test strains were sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested. Significant resistance has been demonstrated for cefotaxime. Resistance was also found for gentamicin in strains number 4 and 7. The MIC was equal to the breakpoint for this antibiotic (8000 mg/L).

Objective: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial mostly due to cutaneous microorganisms migration through the catheter insertion site and catheter tip colonization. Ochrobactrum anthropi is a gram-negative bacterium belonging to the Brucellaceae and related infections are especially observed in immunocompromised patients., Methods: Therefore, O. anthropi infection prevention and surveillance are relevant issues for healthcare system and risk management, in order to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. Four cases of anthropi-related CRBSIs occurring in immunodepressed patients under chemotherapy treatment are reported and the possible prevention and surveillance strategies are analyzed., Results: In the reported cases, all infections occurred almost simultaneously in the Oncology Unit, leading to hypothesize an identical infection source. Subsequently, a clinical audit was performed in order to investigate infection origin and implement prevention and control strategies. Clinical audit allowed to identify the hand hygiene defects as the primary source of the infections, responsible for catheter flushing solution contamination., Conclusion: The aim of this study is to reveal how through correct root cause analysis and clinical audit, several measures could be undertaken in order to promote the prevention of the CRBSIs risk., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi has become an emerging pathogen for bloodstream infection (BSI)., Methods: From January 1st 2010 to June 30th 2017, inpatients with one or more blood cultures positive for O. anthropi isolates at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing, China, were enrolled in this study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected by reviewing electronic records., Results: A total of 11 patients with O. anthropi BSI were identified, of which 10 patients survived. There were 6 males and 5 females, whose age ranged from 2 to 83 years. 7 infections were hospital-acquired. In 8 cases O. anthropi was the only pathogen. The most common symptoms of O. anthropi BSI were fever (100%) and disorders of consciousness (45.5%). All patients had undergone indwelling catheter placement. O. anthropi isolates in this study were most susceptible to levofloxacin (100%), ciprofloxacin (85.7%), imipenem (85.7%) and cotrimoxazole (85.7%), while they were widely resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins., Conclusions: O. anthropi BSI usually happens in patients with indwelling catheters, and often begins with no distinctive symptom or laboratory finding. O. anthropi seldom form polymicrobial BSIs. Quinolones and carbapenems are optimal antibiotics for O. anthropi BSI. Catheter removal is essential when O. anthropi BSI happens recurrently., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Osteomyelitis due to Ochrobactrum anthropi, a new genus Ochrobacterum widely distributed in the environment and occasionally associated with human infection, has been described in only a few case reports. We present a report of an unusual case of osteomyelitis caused by O. anthropi that was identified 9 years after a nail puncture to the lateral cuneiform bone. The patient was an 18-year-old male with a painful foot lesion that had originally been misdiagnosed as an osteolytic tumor. He underwent surgery and 2 firm pieces of rubber measuring 7 and 10 mm were removed from the lower portion of the lateral cuneiform bone, which appeared to be affected by an infection. After surgical debridement, O. anthropi was isolated from the bone cultures. The patient was successfully treated with a 6-week course of oral ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. At 1 year after the corrected diagnosis and appropriate treatment, he was symptom free and had resumed regular activities and an athletic lifestyle., (Copyright © 2017 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a gram-negative rod of low virulence. Infections due to this organism are uncommon; however in immunocompromised hosts it can cause severe infections. Among the many infections it can cause, infective endocarditis is very rare. Even rarer is infective endocarditis of the native valves, as Ochrobactrum antropi affects damaged or prosthetic valves almost exclusively. This case describes native valve endocarditis due to Ochrobactrum anthropi. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-07.asp, free with no login].

The Ochrobactrum anthropi Mn1 strain, taxonomically identified using 16S ribosomal DNA sequence, was isolated from roots of Jerusalem artichoke. Its endophytic colonization was investigated microscopically using green fluorescent protein introduced by vector pHC60. The strain entered Jerusalem artichoke tissues through the root, and was localized in the roots and stems. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) effects of O. anthropi Mn1 were assessed in greenhouse as well as field trials with different nitrogen supplies. Only under moderate to ample nitrogen supply, could O. anthropi Mn1 promoted growth of host plant. The PGP effects of the strain were symbiotic nitrogen fixation, root morphological optimization and enhanced nutrient uptake. We hypothesize that the symbiotic interspecies interaction might be quorum sensing related., (© 2014 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Ochrobactrum anthropi infection in newborn patients is rare, and the treatment is challenging because of its widespread and unpredictable resistance to antimicrobial agents and discrepancies between in vitro susceptibility and in vivo efficacy. We report the clinical and microbiological characteristics of Ochrobactrum anthropi bacteremia in a preterm patient.

Recent trends in late-onset neonatal sepsis have revealed an increase in Gram-negative organisms as causative agents. Ochrobactrum anthropi is an emerging human pathogen that has been reported primarily in immunocompromised hosts, especially those with indwelling catheters or other medical devices. We report the occurrence of late-onset urosepsis secondary to O. anthropi in a preterm neonate with posterior urethral valves and review the salient features of the pathogen and its management.

A biosurfactant-producing bacterium, isolate 2/3, was isolated from mangrove sediment in the south of Thailand. It was evaluated as a potential biosurfactant producer. The highest biosurfactant production (4.52 g/l) was obtained when the cells were grown on a minimal salt medium containing 25 % (v/v) palm oil decanter cake and 1 % (w/v) commercial monosodium glutamate as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. After microbial cultivation at 30 °C in an optimized medium for 96 h, the biosurfactant produced was found to reduce the surface tension of pure water to 25.0 mN/m with critical micelle concentrations of 8.0 mg/l. The stability of the biosurfactant at different salinities, pH and temperature and also its emulsifying activity was investigated. It is an effective surfactant at very low concentrations over a wide range of temperatures, pH and salt concentrations. The biosurfactant obtained was confirmed as a glycolipid type biosurfactant by using a biochemical test, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, MNR and mass spectrometry. The crude biosurfactant showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and also had the ability to emulsify oil and enhance polyaromatic hydrocarbons solubility.

With increasing incidence of immunocompromised patients, many unusual organisms are emerging as pathogens in these patients. Ochrobactrum anthropi is an emerging opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report two cases of neonates who presented with septicemia due to O. anthropi. Both were preterm and low birth weight babies admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of our Hospital. One baby manifested with respiratory distress and eventually died. The second baby responded well to treatment and was discharged. The clinical presentation of infections along with microbiological characteristics and clinical significance of the organism are described.

Postoperative endophthalmitis often progresses to significant visual impairment. This paper describes an outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, and propose a new sterilization protocol to minimize the risk of further cases. Medical records of patients with O. anthropi endophthalmitis or with suggestive clinical findings during the outbreak were reviewed. Seven cases of O. anthropi pseudophakic endophthalmitis were confirmed between 24 July and 10 November 2010. The most probable cause of the outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis was contamination of the tubing of the phaco-emulsification machine. Following introduction of a new sterilization protocol, no further cases occurred in over 1000 subsequent procedures., (Copyright © 2013 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The clinical picture of Ochrobactrum anthropi infection is not well described because the infection is rare in humans and identification of the pathogen is difficult. We present a case of O. anthropi bacteremia that was initially misidentified as Ralstonia paucula and later identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and recA analysis.

Ochrobactrum anthropi, a Gram-negative bacillus, is an unusual human pathogen. It has been implicated primarily in catheter-related bloodstream infections. Sporadic cases of infection at other body sites have been reported. Pneumonia, however, is an exceedingly rare clinical manifestation; only one case has been reported in the medical literature so far. We present another case of lower respiratory tract infection secondary to O. anthropi in a patient who was critically ill, but recovered with a favorable outcome. We have provided an overview of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of infections due to this rare microorganism.

The authors report a case of chronic peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis from Ochrobactrum anthropi. O. anthropi is an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients. O. anthropi-related peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients has rarely been reported. To the authors' knowledge, no pediatric case of O. anthropi peritonitis has been reported to date in the literature.

Aims: The present study was carried out to screen the phylloplane bacteria from tea for antagonism against grey blight caused by Pestalotiopsis theae and blister bight caused by Exobasidium vexans and to further evaluate the efficient isolates for disease control potential under field condition., Methods and Results: A total of 316 morphologically different phylloplane bacteria were isolated. Among the antagonists, the isolates designated as BMO-075, BMO-111 and BMO-147 exhibited maximum inhibitory activity against both the pathogens under in vitro conditions and hence were selected for further evaluation under microplot field trial. Foliar application of 36-h-old culture of BMO-111 (1 × 10(8) colony-forming units ml(-1) ) significantly reduced the blister blight disease incidence than the other isolates. The culture of BMO-111 as well as its culture filtrate effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of various fungal plant pathogens. The isolate BMO-111 was identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi based on the morphological and 16S rDNA sequence analyses., Conclusions: It could be concluded that the biocontrol agent O. anthropi BMO-111 was effective against blister blight disease of tea., Significance and Impact of the Study: Further study is required to demonstrate the mechanism of its action and formulation for the biocontrol potential against blister blight disease of tea., (© 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Chromium-resistant bacteria isolated from industrial wastes can be used to detoxify toxic chromium from contaminated sources. From effluent of Shafiq Tannery, Kasur, Pakistan, bacterial strain STCr-1 that could endure 40 mg mL(-1) of potassium chromate in nutrient agar medium was isolated. STCr-1, identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi by 16S rRNA gene sequence homology, demonstrated substantial Cr(VI) reduction at pH 7 and temperature 37°C. It completely reduced 250 μg mL(-1) of Cr(VI) and showed 71.2 % Cr(VI) reduction at Cr(VI) concentrations of 550 μg mL(-1). Rate of Cr(VI) reduction increased with increase in cell and Cr(VI) concentration. The presence of Cu(2+), Co(2+) and Mn(2+) significantly stimulated Cr(VI) reduction. Assay with cell free extracts clearly indicated that Cr(VI) reduction was solely associated with the soluble fraction of the cell.

Strain YZ-1 was isolated from activated sludge and identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi. This strain was capable of degrading pyrethroids pesticides, suggesting the presence of degrading enzymes. In the present study, a novel esterase gene pytZ was cloned from the genomic library of YZ-1 successfully. The pytZ contained an open reading frame of 606bp encoding a pyrethroid-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase. Deduced amino acid sequence showed moderate identities (39-59%) with most homologous carboxylesterase, except a putative carboxylesterase from O. anthropi ATCC 49188 with the highest identity of 85%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PytZ belonged to esterase VI family. The gene pytZ showed no any sequence similarity with reported pyrethroid-hydrolyzing genes and was a new pyrethroid-degrading gene. PytZ was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified using Ni-NTA Fast Start. PytZ was able to degrade various pyrethroids. The optimal temperature and pH were 35°C and 7.5. This enzyme was very stable over a wide range of temperature and pH. No cofactors were required for enzyme activity. Broad substrate specificity, high enzyme activity, and the favorable stability make the PytZ a potential candidate for the detoxification of pyrethroid residues in biotechnological application., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We report a fatal case of Brucella suis endocarditis initially misdiagnosed by automated identification systems as Ochrobactrum anthropi infection in a patient with a history of Marfan syndrome and recreational feral swine hunting. This report emphasizes the need to consider brucellosis as a part of the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness, particularly in patients with known risk of exposure.

Purpose: To determine the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of infectious endophthalmitis after Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation., Methods: Retrospective, consecutive case series. Chart review of 105 patients (126 eyes) who had KPro implantation at Cincinnati Eye Institute between November 2004 and November 2010 and who were followed up for at least 1 month (range, 1 month to 66 months; mean 25 months) revealed 3 cases who developed infectious endophthalmitis., Results: One patient had a history of congenital glaucoma, and 2 patients had Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Two had KPro implantation for penetrating keratoplasty failure and 1 had necrosis of a previous KPro cornea. The incidence of endophthalmitis was 2.4%. All patients wore a contact lens and were on vancomycin and a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone (moxifloxacin). Vitreous fluid cultures yielded Ochrobactrum anthropi, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida albicans. All patients received intravitreal amphotericin, vancomycin, and/or ceftazidime. Topical and oral antiinfective agents were tailored based on sensitivities. One patient required KPro removal and therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Vision did not recover for 2 patients who presented with vision decreased to light perception. One patient, who presented with decreased vision of 20/400, recovered to 20/60., Conclusions: Infectious endophthalmitis is a devastating complication that can occur after Boston KPro implantation even with prophylactic vancomycin, a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone, and a therapeutic contact lens. Fungal and gram-negative organisms are a growing cause for concern. Further study is needed on optimal prophylaxis regimens, including the use of antifungals, especially for high-risk eyes, such as those with autoimmune cicatrizing disease.

Two Gram negative, micro-aerophilic, non-motile and non-spore-forming coccoid bacteria were isolated from female turkey caecal samples collected from a slaughterhouse. The biochemical reaction profiles (API 20 E and API 20 NE) typed both strains as Ochrobactrum anthropi. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence similarities the strains were identified as O. anthropi and Ochrobactrum pecoris, respectively. Both strains were highly resistant against beta-lactam antibiotics, chloramphenicol and sulphonamides but variable in susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline. This is the first time that Ochrobactrum species were isolated from an avian host, i.e. turkey., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Bacterial strains capable of utilizing methylphosphonic acid (MP) or glyphosate (GP) as the sole sources of phosphorus were isolated from soils contaminated with these organophosphonates. The strains isolated from MP-contaminated soils grew on MP and failed to grow on GP. One group of the isolates from GP-contaminated soils grew only on MP, while the other one grew on MP and GP. Strains Achromobacter sp. MPS 12 (VKM B-2694), MP degraders group, and Ochrobactrum anthropi GPK 3 (VKM B-2554D), GP degraders group, demonstrated the best degradative capabilities towards MP and GP, respectively, and were studied for the distribution of their organophosphonate catabolism systems. In Achromobacter sp. MPS 12, degradation of MP was catalyzed by C-P lyase incapable of degrading GP (C-P lyase I). Adaptation to growth on GP yielded the strain Achromobacter sp. MPS 12A, which retained its ability to degrade MP via C-P lyase I and was capable of degrading GP with formation of sarcosine, thus suggesting the involvement of a GP-specific C-P lyase II. O. anthropi GPK 3 also degraded MP via C-P lyase I, but degradation of GP in it was initiated by glyphosate oxidoreductase, which was followed by product transformation via the phosphonatase pathway.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are common in hemodialysis, especially when the access is a catheter. These infections are more commonly gram-positive bacteria or gram-negative bacilli and on some occasions, fungi. Ochrobactrum anthropi and Shewanella putrefaciens are ubiquitous hydrophilic gram-negative bacilli. There have been three cases of O. anthropi BSI reported in hemodialysis patients (one from the United States and two from Vienna) and two cases of S. putrefaciens BSI in hemodialysis patients (one from the United States and the other from Japan). There have been few more cases reported of infections with these bacteria in peritoneal dialysis, especially outside the United States. We present a novel case of a patient with both recurrent O. anthropi and S. putrefaciens BSI complicating hemodialysis. There have been no reports in the literature of such a case. We also discuss the microbiology, clinical features, and the challenging aspects of treatment of such infections.

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a rare pathogen in humans that is usually related to infections in immunocompromised patients or people with indwelling medical devices. There are very few reported cases of O. anthropi bacteremia in patients on hemodialysis. We report a 19-year-old female on hemodialysis through a jugular catheter, with fever and malaise lasting one month. The catheter was withdrawn and Ochrobactrum anthropi was isolated from it and from blood cultures. The patient was successfully treated with levofloxacin.

Using 16S rDNA gene sequencing technique, three different species of non-symbiotic bacteria of entomopatho-genic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis sp.) were isolated and identified from infected insect cadavers {Galleria mellonella larvae) after 48-hour post infections. Sequence similarity analysis revealed that the strains SRK3, SRK4 and SRK5 belong to Ochrobactrum cytisi, Schineria larvae and Ochrobactrum anthropi, respectively. The isolates O. anthropi and S. larvae were found to be associated with Heterorhabditis indica strains BDU-17 and Yer-136, respectively, whereas O. cytisi was associated with Steinernema siamkayai strain BDU-87. Phenotypically, temporal EPN bacteria were fairly related to symbiotic EPN bacteria (Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus genera). The strains SRK3 and SRK5 were phylogeographically similar to several non-symbionts and contaminated EPN bacteria isolated in Germany (LMG3311T) and China (X-14), while the strain SRK4 was identical to the isolates of S. larvae (Ll/57, Ll/58, Ll/68 and L2/11) from Wohlfahrtia magnifica in Hungary. The result was further confirmed by RNA secondary structure and minimum energy calculations of aligned sequences. This study suggested that the non-symbionts of these nematodes are phylogeographically diverged in some extent due to phase variation. Therefore, these strains are not host-dependent, but environment-specific isolates., (Copyright © 2011 Beijing Genomics Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A Brucella isolate was identified from purulent material collected during a hip surgery. Two previous blood cultures from the same patient yielded Ochrobactrum anthropi. After rRNA sequencing, all the isolates were identified as Brucella species and subsequently serotyped as Brucella suis. Misidentification of Brucella species remains a problem with bacterial identification systems.

Ochrobactrum anthropi is an emerging pathogen increasingly affecting the immunocompromised host. Only four cases of infective endocarditis have been documented in literature. Therapeutic approach is a rising challenge as it is resistant to most of the currently available beta lactam antibiotics with the exception of carbapenems. We report a case of prosthetic valve endocarditis secondary to Ochrobactrum anthropi infection; the host was temporarily immunocompromised due to disseminated herpes zoster after surgery.

Ochrobactrum anthropi is an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients, with the majority of human cases being central venous catheter-related infections. In contrast, O. anthropi-related biliary sepsis is much rare. Herein we report the clinical and microbiological characteristics of O. anthropi-related biliary sepsis in order to increase awareness of the potential role of O. anthropi in this infection. Further extensive epidemiologic studies should be carried out to ascertain the etiologic association between O. anthropi and biliary sepsis and to identify potential hosts and routes of transmission.

Aims: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis of machinists associated with metalworking fluids (MWF) was recently linked to Mycobacterium immunogenum. In addition to Mycobacterium, impacts of continuous and massive contact to other micro-organisms, such as Pseudomonas, were little studied. This report intended to quantify and characterize the microbial load of 44 in-use MWF., Methods and Results: The main biodiversity of MWF was assessed using cultural methods, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Total bacteria concentrations ranged from undetectable to 10(9) 16S rRNA gene copies per millilitre. Concentrations obtained by qPCR were up to five orders of magnitude higher than by culture, suggesting that MWF contamination is generally underestimated. Two samples showed high concentrations of Myco. immunogenum (1.55 x 10(7) and 3.49 x 10(5) 16S rRNA gene copies per millilitre). The overall biodiversity was low, as observed by culture and DGGE, and was comparable to data found in the literature. Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes was by far the main bacteria found in MWF samples (33 out of 44), followed by Ochrobactrum anthropi (32 out of 44). There was no significant relationship between the biodiversity profiles and the kind of MWF or equipment used, making it difficult to predict which micro-organisms will colonize each particular MWF., Conclusions: Very high concentrations of bacteria were found in most MWF studied and limited biodiversities were observed. Many species of micro-organisms were retrieved from MWF samples, but they were mostly colonized by Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Ochrobactrum anthropi., Significance and Impact of the Study: The major micro-organisms observed or recovered in this study from in-use MWF were present in very high concentrations, and thus further studies are needed to confirm their role in workers' respiratory disorders or health-related problems.

Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi is a versatile bacterial species with strains living in very diverse habitats. It is increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogen in hospitalized patients. The population biology of the species particularly with regard to the characteristics of the human isolates is being investigated. To address this issue, we proposed a polyphasic approach consisting in Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), multi-locus phylogeny, genomic-based fingerprinting by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antibiotyping., Results: We tested a population of 70 O. anthropi clinical (n = 43) and environmental (n = 24) isolates as well as the type strain O. anthropi ATCC49188T and 2 strains of Ochrobactrum lupini and Ochrobactrum cytisi isolated from plant nodules. A Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme for O. anthropi is proposed here for the first time. It was based on 7 genes (3490 nucleotides) evolving mostly by neutral mutations. The MLST approach suggested an epidemic population structure. A major clonal complex corresponded to a human-associated lineage since it exclusively contained clinical isolates. Genomic fingerprinting separated isolates displaying the same sequence type but it did not detect a population structure that could be related to the origin of the strains. None of the molecular method allowed the definition of particular lineages associated to the host-bacteria relationship (carriage, colonisation or infection). Antibiotyping was the least discriminative method., Conclusion: The results reveal a human-associated subpopulation in our collection of strains. The emergence of this clonal complex was probably not driven by the antibiotic selective pressure. Therefore, we hypothesise that the versatile species O. anthropi could be considered as a human-specialized opportunistic pathogen.

Aim: To evaluate Ochrobactrum anthropi TRS-2 isolated from tea rhizosphere and its talc based formulation for growth promotion and management of brown root rot disease of tea., Methods and Results: Ochrobactrum anthropi TRS-2, isolated from tea rhizosphere could solubilize phosphate, produce siderophore and IAA in vitro and also exhibited antifungal activity against six test pathogens. Application of an aqueous suspension of O. anthropi to the rhizosphere of nursery grown tea seedlings of five varieties of tea (TV-18, T-17, HV-39, S-449, UP-3 and) led to enhanced growth of the treated plants, as evidenced by increase in height, in the number of shoots and number of leaves per shoot. Treatment with O. anthropi also decreased brown root rot of tea, caused by Phellinus noxius. Multifold increase in activities of chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase in tea plants was observed on application of O. anthropi to soil followed by inoculation with P. noxius. A concomitant increase in accumulation of phenolics was also obtained. Further, talc based formulation of O. anthropi was prepared and its survival determined every month up to a period of 12 months. Ochrobactrum anthropi could survive in the formulation up to a period of 9 months with a concentration of 7.0 log(10) CFU g(-1), after which there was a decline. Talc formulation was as effective as aqueous suspensions in both plant growth promotion and disease suppression., Conclusion: Ochrobactrum anthropi, either in aqueous suspension or as talc formulation induced growth of tea plants and suppressed brown root rot disease. It induced defense responses in tea plants., Significance and Impact of the Study: Ochrobactrum anthropi and its talc based formulation can be considered as an addition to available plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) currently being used for field application. The present study offers a scope of utilizing this bacterium for growth promotion and disease management which would help in reduction of the use of chemicals in tea plantations.

From the mandibular lymph nodes of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) hunted in the region of Gmünd, Lower Austria, two gram-negative, oxidase- and urease-positive, coccoid rod-shaped bacteria (strains 257 and 284) were isolated. Cells were fast growing, nonmotile, and agglutinated with monospecific anti-Brucella (M) serum. Both strains were biochemically identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi by using the API 20NE test. However, sequencing of the 16S rRNA and recA genes clearly identified strains 257 and 284 as Brucella spp. Further molecular analysis by omp2a/b gene sequencing, multilocus sequence typing and multilocus variable number tandem repeats analysis revealed Brucella microti, a recently described Brucella species that has originally been isolated from diseased common voles (Microtus arvalis) in South Moravia, Czech Republic in 2000. Our findings demonstrate that B. microti is prevalent in a larger geographic area covering the region of South Moravia and parts of Lower Austria. Foxes could have become infected by ingestion of infected common voles.

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a non-fermenting gram-negative rod that was identified as a pathogenic microorganism during the past decade. O. anthropi is extensively distributed in the environment, and has been found in hospital and environmental water sources. O. anthropi infection is rare in childhood. We report a case of O. anthropi bacteremia in a preterm infant with a peritoneal lavage catheter and meconium peritonitis.

A Gram-negative, chromium(VI) tolerant and reductive strain CTS-325, isolated from a Chinese chromate plant, was identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi based on its biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. It was able to tolerate up to 10 mmol/L Cr(VI) and completely reduce 1 mmol/L Cr(VI) to Cr(III) within 48 h. When the strain CTS-325 was induced with Cr(VI), a protein increased significantly in the whole cell proteins. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that this protein was a superoxide dismutase (SOD) homology. The measured superoxide dismutase activity was 2694 U/mg after three steps of purification. The SOD catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion (O2*-) into hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. This protein is considered to be one of the most important anti-oxidative enzymes for O. anthropi as it allows the bacterium to survive high oxygen stress environments, such as the environment produced during the reduction process of Cr(VI).

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a non-glucose fermentative, aerobic gram-negative bacillus, formerly known as Achromobacter sp or CDC group Vd. It has been isolated from the environment and from infections in usually immunocompromised human beings. The documented infections frequently involved catheter related bacteremia whereas endophthalmitis, urinary infections, meningitis, endocarditis, hepatic abscess, osteochondritis, pelvic abscess and pancreatic abscess were rarely involved. Here it is presented the case of a male patient aged 69 years with sustained hypotension, four day febrile syndrome, chill, lavish perspiration and sensorium deterioration. He had type 2 diabetes and antecedent of cerebrovascular accident. A double-lumen dialysis catheter was present due to chronic renal insufficiency. An episode of catheter-related bloodstream infection was documented by using Bact-Alert Blood Culture System and Differential-Time-to-Positivity Method for central venous catheter versus peripheral blood cultures (>120 min). Once removed, it was confirmed through Maki semi quantitative technique (>15 FCU). The microorganism was identified by API 20NE and Vitek 1 as Ochrobactrum anthropi.

Ochrobactrum anthropi strain AD2 was isolated from the waste water treatment plant of an oil refinery and was identified by analysis of the sequence of the gene encoding 16S rDNA. This bacterium produced exopolysaccharides in glucose nutrient broth media supplemented with various hydrocarbons (n-octane, mineral light and heavy oils and crude oils). The exopolysaccharide AD2 (EPS emulsifier) synthesized showed a wide range of emulsifying activity but none of them had surfactant activity. Yield production varied from 0.47 to 0.94 g of EPS l(-1) depending on the hydrocarbon added. In the same way, chemical composition and emulsification activity of EPS emulsifier varied with the culture conditions. Efficiency of the EPS emulsifier as biostimulating agent was assayed in soil microcosms and experimental biopiles. The AD2 biopolymer was added alone or combined with commercial products frequently used in oil bioremediation such as inorganic NPK fertilizer and oleophilic fertilizer (S200 C). Also, its efficiency was tested in mixture with activated sludge from an oil refinery. In soil microcosms supplemented with S200 C+EPS emulsifier as combined treatment, indigenous microbial populations as well as hydrocarbon degradation was enhanced when compared with microcosms treated with NPK fertilizer or EPS emulsifier alone. In the same way EPS emulsifier stimulated the bioremediation effect of S200 C product, increasing the number of bacteria and decreasing the amount of hydrocarbon remained. Finally, similar effects were obtained in biopile assays amended with EPS emulsifier plus activated sludge. Our results suggest that the bioemulsifier EPS emulsifier has interesting properties for its application in environment polluted with oil hydrocarbon compounds and may be useful for bioremediation purposes.