Review on infection control strategies to minimize outbreaks of the emerging pathogen Elizabethkingia anophelis

Background Elizabethkingia anophelis is a multi-drug resistant emerging opportunistic pathogen with a high mortality rate, causing healthcare-associated outbreaks worldwide. Methods We report a case of E. anophelis pleuritis, resulting from transmission through lung transplantation, followed by a literature review of outbreak reports and strategies to minimize E. anophelis transmission in healthcare settings. Results From 1990 to August 2022, 14 confirmed E. anophelis outbreak cohorts and 21 cohorts with suspected E. anophelis outbreaks were reported in literature. A total of 80 scientific reports with recommendations on diagnostics and infection control measures were included and summarized in our study. Conclusion Strategies to prevent and reduce spread of E. anophelis include water-free patient rooms, adequate hygiene and disinfection practices, and optimized diagnostic techniques for screening, identification and molecular typing. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13756-023-01304-1.