Identification and distribution of Flavobacterium meningosepticum in clinical material.

During the 19 year period ending December 1984, 82 (1.7%) of 4840 strains of Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria submitted to the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) for computer-assisted identification were Flavobacterium meningosepticum. These figures suggest either that F. meningosepticum occurs only rarely in clinical material in the UK, or that when it does occur it is not always recognized. The sources from which the NCTC strains were isolated are reported and also the characteristics by which the species may be identified. The clinical significance of F. meningosepticum is reviewed, particularly its role in neonatal meningitis, of which there have been but two reported cases in the UK, both imported. The susceptibility of the species to antimicrobial agents is discussed and also antimicrobial therapy of neonatal meningitis due to this species.