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Ubiquitous water and soil pathogen.
Person-to-person spread has been documented, particularly among cystic fibrosis patients.
Responsible for healthcare-associated outbreaks linked to contaminated disinfectants, medical devices, medications and medical solutions.
Contact isolation may be required as organism is frequently multidrug resistant
Infectious Diseases consultation should be obtained for assistance with antimicrobial therapy.
Antimicrobial therapy should be guided by susceptibility testing whenever possible.
Treatment options are often limited.
Chronic infection with some species within B. cepacia complex is associated with an accelerated decline in pulmonary function and shortened survival in cystic fibrosis. Further testing of isolates is provided by Dr. LiPuma lab in Michigan.