Elizabethkingia Infections - An Important Emerging Cause of Sepsis and Meningitis in Neonates and Infants: Case Series from North Batinah Region, Oman, and literature review.

Elizabethkingia species, particularly E. anophelis and E. meningoseptica, are gram negative bacilli known to be associated with neonatal infections. Although these bacteria are rare, they are highly concerning pathogens associated with severe sepsis, bacteraemia and meningitis in neonates and immunocompromised individuals. Managing Elizabethkingia infections presents significant challenges because of their multidrug resistance, including resistance to most β-lactam agents. They have been implicated in both nosocomial and community outbreaks worldwide, often with high mortality rates. In Oman, Elizabethkingia infections are underreported, with only 1 publication documenting 2 cases of E. meningoseptica bacteraemia and meningitis, both of which were successfully treated. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current case series of 7 Elizabethkingia infections represents the largest cohort reported from Oman to date. In this report, the clinical manifestations and management strategies and a relevant literature are presented.