ABSTRACT
Pneumonia is a common nosocomial complication in transplant patients. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is recognized as a common cause and is typically seen in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. S. maltophilia, a nonfermenting gram-negative rod, ranks as the third most common nosocomial pathogen, following Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter. The bacteria are frequently found in environmental sources and are prevalent in healthcare facilities, including in tap water faucets, shower outlets, air-cooling systems, intravenous fluids, catheters, dialysis machines, and oxygen humidifiers. This bacterium possesses the ability to rapidly form biofilms, enabling it to colonize new surfaces in less than 24 hours. While S. maltophilia generally exhibits low virulence, there remains uncertainty among many clinicians regarding whether it is merely a colonizer or the primary cause of infection. Although S. maltophilia infections are rare in immunocompetent individuals, the species is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in vulnerable populations such as those with cystic fibrosis, cancer, and other conditions leading to immunosuppression. S. maltophilia now recognized as a causative agent in various clinical syndromes, primarily affecting the lungs and bloodstream. We present a case of S. maltophilia-associated lung infection in a kidney transplant recipient, emphasizing the significance of underlying diseases and associated signs and symptoms.
