Key points
- Cronobacter infections have been reported in all age groups but is generally more serious for infants, people 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
- Cronobacter infections are treated with antibiotics.
Who should receive treatment
Cronobacter infections have been reported in all age groups. However, infants less than 2 months old are most likely to develop meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine) if they are infected with Cronobacter bacteria.
Cronobacter infection can also be serious for:
- People 65 years and older.
- People whose immune systems are weakened by illnesses or conditions, such as HIV, organ transplants, or cancer.
Treatment recommendations
Cronobacter infections are treated with antibiotics. Infants suspected of having sepsis or meningitis should be hospitalized and undergo a full clinical evaluation including blood culture, urine culture, and cerebrospinal fluid culture.
Once Cronobacter has been diagnosed, they should be given empiric antibiotics immediately. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed because multidrug-resistant strains have been reported. This testing can help medical providers choose the best antibiotic.
Brain imaging studies of infants with meningitis can help detect brain abscesses and other complications.
People with urinary tract infections or serious wound infections should also be treated with antibiotics.
If a patient is colonized (organism can be found in or on the body but it is not causing any symptoms or disease), rather than infected with Cronobacter, treatment is not needed.