Action and function of Chromobacterium violaceum in health and disease

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017 Source:Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology Author(s): Giselle Zenker Justo, Nelson Durán Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram negative, β-proteobacterium found in the microbiota of tropical and subtropical environments. Although considered an opportunistic pathogen, infection rapidly progress to fatal sepsis, with metastatic abscesses. It is noteworthy the multidrug resistant phenotype of C. violaceum and the possibility of relapse. Recently, an influence of global climate in the incidence of cases beyond the previous areas has been observed. Furthermore, chronic granulomatous disease has been considered a risk factor to infection. Despite the increase in C. violaceum infection incidence and high mortality, most clinicians are not familiar with it. This review pointed out important features of this life threatening microorganism, including its pathogenicity, mechanistic aspects, genetic and drug resistance associated factors, and the clinical association with chronic granulomatous disease. In addition, the importance of its main metabolite violacein, identified as responsible for the violet colour of the bacterium, as a promissor biological agent will be discussed.

Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Gastroenterology - October 12, 2017 Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research