2 EPIDEMIOLOGICALLY RELATED CASES OF RAHNELLA-AQUATILIS BACTEREMIA

Rahnella aquatilis was isolated from the blood cultures of two patient s who were in different units of the same hospital. Both isolates were susceptible to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, cotrimoxazole, pipe racillin, third generation cephalosporins and amoxicillin-clavulanate, but resistant to amoxicillin, ticarcillin, and first generation cepha losporins. The synergistic activity of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid suggested the presence of a beta-lactamase, confirmed by a positive n itrocefin test and by analytical isoelectric focusing. Pulsed-field ge l electrophoresis and ribotyping with the pKK3535 probe showed that th e isolates shared the same banding pattern. The results of an epidemio logical study suggested that an in-house total parenteral nutrition so lution might be the source of this unusual gram-negative rod.