The genus Elizabethkingia has recently emerged as a cause of life-threatening infections in
humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Several new species in the genus Elizabethkingia
have been proposed in the last decade. Numerous studies have indicated that Elizabethkingia
anophelis, rather than Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, is the most prevalent pathogen in this genus.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry systems with an extended
spectrum database could reliably identify E. anophelis and E. meningoseptica, but they are unable to
distinguish the remaining species. Precise species identification relies on molecular techniques, such as
housekeeping gene sequencing and whole-genome sequencing. These microorganisms are usually
susceptible to minocycline but resistant to most -lactams, -lactam/ -lactam inhibitors, carbapenems,
and aminoglycosides. They often exhibit variable susceptibility to piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam,
fluoroquinolones, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Accordingly, treatment should be guided
by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Target gene mutations are markedly associated with
fluoroquinolone resistance. Knowledge on the genomic characteristics provides valuable insights
into in these emerging pathogens.
