Stenotrophomonas

The genus Stenotrophomonas belongs to the so-called gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria, this group includes genera showing similar characteristics as this genus, they are the genus Pseudomonas and the genus Burkholderia. Due to their common characteristics and traits, these genera can be put into context, in the medical sense, these genera are important mainly in terms of nosocomial diseases.

Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the genus Stenotrophomonas is constantly renewed, the current classification is as follows:


 * class Gammaproteobacteria
 * order Xanthomonadales
 * family Xanthomonadaceae
 * genus Stenotrophomonas
 * species - there are several species, the most risky representative is considered a bacterium - Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Characteristics
This genus is characterized by delayed biochemical activity. Furthermore, they do not stain in the oxidase test, so they are oxidase negative. Like the previous genus Pseudomonas, the genus Stenotrophomonas is the cause of nosocomial infections.

Important representatives
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is considered to be the most risky representative of the genus Stenotrophomonas. It is highly resistant to most anti-pseudomonad drugs, such as aminoglycosides, ceftazidime or piperacillin. In contrast, fluoroquinolones and cotrimoxazole are effective against it.

Related articles

 * Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Burkholderia

Reference

 * 1) BENEŠ, Jiří. Infectious medicine. 1st edition. Prague: Galén, 2009. pp. 252.  ISBN 978-80-7262-644-1.