How Contagious Is Achromobacter Xylosoxidans Infection?

Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 Answered on

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : how contagious is achromobacter xylosoxidans from a patient with bronchial symtpoms , constant cough and sputum production. She has no fever and currently taking Bactrim. This was DX from a tissue sample from bronchoscopy.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no need to worry much for contagious spread.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your problem and situation.
Achromobacter Xylosoxidans is gram negative, aerobic, motile organism. It is very very rare infection.
It is not seen in normal, healthy individuals. It is seen only with diseased lung like Cystic fibrosis,asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases).
And its spread is also controversial. But it is less likely to spread in healthy individual with single exposure. If you are having underlying lung diseases and constant exposure with this bacteria, then it can be contagious.
Otherwise no need to worry much for contagious spread. There are very less chance (practically nil) if you are not suffering from lung disease and having single exposure.

Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E