Bacteria of the human dermal microflora as human pathogens

The gram-negative coccobacilli Roseomonas mucosa and Roseomonas gilardii belong to the genus Roseomonas , whose name comes from the often pink pigmentation of the bacterial colonies. R. mucosa and even more rarely R. gilardii are pathogens of sporadic human infections. These infections were then often treated with Catheter-associated bacteremia in people with pre-existing conditions and/or immune deficiencies. However, people without pre-existing conditions and without immune deficiencies have also been occasionally affected. Differential diagnosis between the two species is often difficult in the clinic using current methods, so that confusion between R. gilardii and R. mucosa can occur in various infectious events. Infection with both bacterial species is usually easily treatable with antibiotics.

Since representatives of the family of Acetobacteraceae , which includes the genus Roseomanas heard, formerly mainly from Environmental samples (water, air and soil), the cause of human infections with these bacteria was long thought to be ingestion as contamination from the environment. However, it has now been proven that R. mucosa Part of normal dermal microbiome In infections, the bacteria can enter the body or blood system through damaged skin (e.g., through injections or animal bites) or during surgical procedures.

In the Technical Rules for Biological Agents 466 “Classification of Prokaryotes ( Bacteria and Archaea )” R. mucosa as well as  R. gilardii (subs. gilardii and R. gilardii subsp. Rosea ) is classified in risk group 2.

The ZKBS assigns Roseomonas mucosa and Roseomonas gilardii according to Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV in conjunction with the criteria in Annex 1 GenTSV as donor and recipient organisms for genetic engineering work in the Risk group 2 Both bacterial species are members of the normal human dermal microflora. However, if the bacteria enter the body from the skin, they can cause infectious diseases even in people with healthy immune systems, although these are generally easily treatable.

The complete ZKBS statement can be found at File number 45241.0259 can be retrieved.