To the Editors:
Ralstonia mannitolilytica is a recently established species of clinical significance and was previously known as Pseudomonas thomasii or Ralstonia pickettii biovar 3/thomasii [1]. It has been recovered from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis and has also been associated with catheter-associated bacteraemia, recurrent meningitis, infection of a haemoperitoneum, urinary tract infection and post-renal transplant infection. Hospital outbreaks of R. mannitolilytica due to contamination of water [2], saline solutions [3] or oxygen-delivery devices [4] have also been reported. However, this bacterium has not been reported in patients with respiratory illnesses other than cystic fibrosis.
Isolate G100 was recovered from a sputum sample from a male, 78-yr-old patient in April, 2010. This patient was presented with cough and gradually worsening dyspnoea for 1 month, but without fever. He received no antimicrobial agents prior to admission. This patient had a 20-yr history of intermittent cough, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed 10 yrs previously. He had also had type II diabetes mellitus for 5 yrs and had been a cigarette smoker for >20 yrs, but had stopped smoking 10 yrs previously. Physical examination revealed a “barrel-shaped” chest, reduced breath sounds and crackles. On admission, a full …