Walsh & Hoyt: Flavobacteria

Flavobacteria are long, thin, slightly curved, and occasionally filamentous, gram-negative bacilli. Their name is derived from the observation that most species produce a yellow pigment when grown on solid media. They are common inhabitants of soil and water, and they are found also in food. The known species of Flavobacterium are rarely pathogenic in humans; however, F. meningosepticum may cause meningitis and bacteremia, primarily in newborn and premature infants but also in adults. Flavobacteria can also be cultured from some brain abscesses in both children and adults. The associated mortality from these infections, most of which are nosocomial and associated with the use of fluids in the hospital, is high.