Elizabethkingia: Overview of an Opportunistic Bacterial Genus

What Is Elizabethkingia?

Elizabethkingia is a genus of Gram‑negative, opportunistic bacteria and the sole member of the family Elizabethkingiaceae. The genus was named after Elizabeth O. King, who first described it in 1959.

Habitat and Colonization

Elizabethkingia species are widely distributed in the environment, including soil, water, and plants. They also exist as commensals in the human respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

Clinical Significance

These bacteria can cause a range of infections in humans, most notably pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. Infections are more frequent and severe in immunocompromised individuals.

Treatment and Antibiotic Resistance

Elizabethkingia infections are typically treated with antibiotics; however, some strains exhibit multidrug resistance, complicating therapy and requiring susceptibility‑guided treatment.

Current Knowledge Gaps

Elizabethkingia remains a relatively new genus, and many aspects of its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and optimal management are still under investigation. Further research is needed to improve clinical outcomes.