Severe pneumonia caused by Elizabethkingia anophelis combined with Acinetobacter baumannii infection: a case report

Elizabethkingia anophelis is an obligate aerobic, Gram-negative bacillus belonging to the family of Weeksellacease. In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in E. anophelis related infections, especially in chronically hospitalized, immunocompromised populations that often develop severe pneumonia. Severe pneumonia is one of the common critical illnesses. Next-generation sequencing technologies developed based on PCR and gene chip technologies play an important role in the identification of pathogenic microorganisms and in molecular diagnosis. In this case, we report an elderly male patient diagnosed with severe pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The causative organisms were clearly identified as Elizabethkingia anophelis combined with Acinetobacter baumannii by next-generation sequencing. He was discharged from the hospital after being given cefoperazone sulbactam sodium and minocycline, as well as nebulized inhalation of chymotrypsin, salbutamol, and budesonide to assist ventilation. This article summarizes the diagnosis and treatment of this patient in order to share the experience of the subsequent treatments.