Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is a gram-negative bacterium, which is pathogenic for preterm infants and immunocompromised adults, especially in intensive care units. This study is a documentation of an outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and demonstrates the outcome and prognosis of infected infants. A total of 16 infants infected by C. meningosepticum during a one-year period were included in the study. The source of the bacteria could not be explained clearly but the environment and respiratory equipment were the most probable sources. Pneumonia was the most important complication because of its association with a high mortality rate (60%). Hydrocephalus occurred in three patients and resulted in severe neurologic sequelae. We concluded that C. meningosepticum is a fulminant microorganism that spreads rapidly as an outbreak in NICUs and causes serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, hydrocephalus, and long-term morbidities.

Keywords: Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, yenidoğan, yenidoğan yoğun bakım ünitesi, salgın.