Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Respiratory Culture

has a chronic tracheostomy with a sputum culture growing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

He is afebrile, has no change in secretions & doesn’t have consolidations on chest X-ray.

Does he need treatment?

How did others respond?

Reveal the answer

Best Answer:

No, don’t treat 🛑

Explanation: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a nosocomial organism BUT often a colonizer and doesn’t always need therapy. 💊

A retrospective study in patients growing S. maltophilia from respiratory cultures estimated a 90% colonization rate! 🤯

Consider colonization when S. maltophilia comes calling!