Chlorine Inactivation of Elizabethkingia spp. in Water

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Oct;30(10):2174-2177. doi: 10.3201/eid3010.240917.

Abstract

We performed chlorine inactivation experiments for Elizabethkingia anophelis and E. meningoseptica bacterial strains from clinical and environmental sources. Free chlorine concentration × contact time values <0.04 mg·min/L achieved 99.9% inactivation of Elizabethkingia species, indicating chlorine susceptibility. Measures to control biofilm producing pathogens in plumbing are needed to prevent Elizabethkingia bacterial infections.

Keywords: Disinfection; Drug Resistance; Elizabethkingia; Flavobacteriaceae; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; biofilms; chlorine; disease outbreaks; environmental microbiology; halogenation; opportunistic infections; sanitation; water; water supply.

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Chlorine* / pharmacology
  • Disinfectants* / pharmacology
  • Flavobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Flavobacteriaceae* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Chlorine
  • Disinfectants

Supplementary concepts

  • Elizabethkingia anophelis