#125 – The Scariest and Baddest: Burkholderia, Achromobacter, and Elizabethkingia

#125 – The Scariest and Baddest: Burkholderia, Achromobacter, and Elizabethkingia

Author: Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists October 31, 2025 Duration: 1:32:54
Breakpoints
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Drs. Maria Mojica, Robert Bonomo, and Ryan Shields join Dr. Erin McCreary (@erinmccreary) for a Halloween special reviewing the scariest resistance mechanisms and baddest bugs – Burkholderia spp., Achromobacter spp., and Elizabethkingia spp. Never have beta lactamase enzymes and other complexities been explained so hauntingly well. We don’t want to spook you, but these environmental, opportunistic pathogens are found around the globe. While we hope you don’t encounter them, take a listen to prepare in case one jumps out in your practice!

This episode was sponsored by an unrestricted grant from Shionogi Inc.

References:

  1. Spencer HK, Spitznogle SL, Borjan J, Aitken SL. An Overview of the Treatment of Less Common Non-Lactose-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacteria. Pharmacotherapy. 2020 Sep;40(9):936-951. doi: 10.1002/phar.2447. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32687670.
  2. Defining antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and breakpoints among Achromobacter species
  3. SIDP 2025 Webinar | Mind the Gap: CLSI M100 Updates to Optimize Stewardship and Patient Care Outcomes
  4. Yasmin M, Rojas LJ, Marshall SH, Hujer AM, Cmolik A, Marshall E, Boucher HW, Vila AJ, Soldevila M, Diene SM, Rolain JM, Bonomo RA. Characterization of a Novel Pathogen in Immunocompromised Patients: Elizabethkingia anophelis-Exploring the Scope of Resistance to Contemporary Antimicrobial Agents and β-lactamase Inhibitors. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 Jan 31;10(2):ofad014. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofad014. PMID: 36820316; PMCID: PMC9938519.
  5. Warner NC, Bartelt LA, Lachiewicz AM, Tompkins KM, Miller MB, Alby K, Jones MB, Carr AL, Alexander J, Gainey AB, Daniels R, Burch AK, Brown DE, Brownstein MJ, Cheema F, Linder KE, Shields RK, Longworth S, van Duin D. Cefiderocol for the Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans Infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 5;73(7):e1754-e1757. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1847. PMID: 33313656; PMCID: PMC8678443.
  6. El Chakhtoura NG, Saade E, Wilson BM, Perez F, Papp-Wallace KM, Bonomo RA. A 17-Year Nationwide Study of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bloodstream Infections Among Patients in the United States Veterans Health Administration. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 15;65(8):1253-1259. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix559. PMID: 29017247; PMCID: PMC5848224.

Hosted by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, Breakpoints is a podcast dedicated to the intricate and ever-evolving world of antimicrobial therapy. Each episode delves into the practical challenges and scientific nuances faced by pharmacists on the front lines of patient care, from interpreting susceptibility data and optimizing dosing strategies to navigating the complexities of antimicrobial stewardship. The conversations in this podcast bridge the gap between groundbreaking infectious diseases research and its direct application in clinical settings, offering insights that are both academically rigorous and immediately useful. You’ll hear expert discussions on new resistance patterns, evolving treatment guidelines, and the real-world implementation of life-saving protocols. Designed for healthcare professionals committed to precision medicine, Breakpoints provides a deeper understanding of how to effectively manage infections and improve patient outcomes. Tune in for thoughtful analysis and forward-thinking dialogue that defines the critical role of specialized pharmacists in public health.
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