Application of 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify Bordetella hinzii as the causative agent of fatal septicemia

We report on the first case of fatal septicemia caused by Bordetella hinzii . The causative organism exhibited a biochemical profile identical to that of Bordetella avium with three commercial identification systems (API 20E, API 20 NE, and Vitek GNI+ card). However, its cellular fatty acid profile n as not typical for either B. avium or previously reported strains of B. hin zii. Presumptive identification of the patient's isolate was accomplished b y traditional biochemical testing, and definitive identification was achiev ed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Phenotypic features useful in distin guishing B. hinzii from B. avium were production of alkali from malonate an d resistance to several antimicrobial agents.