S. maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen. Most infections occur in the setting of prior broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy that has eradicated the normal flora in immunocompromised pts.

• S. maltophilia causes pneumonia, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia, with or without bacteremia.
• Central venous line infection (most often in cancer pts) and ecthyma gangrenosum in neutropenic pts have been described.