Benign-turned-deadly bacterium baffles scientists

As patient count rises, source of Elizabethkingia infections remains mysterious

Elizabethkingia bacteria

STILL NO ANSWER The source of infection with Elizabethkingia bacteria (shown here growing on a blood agar plate) in Wisconsin and two other states remains unknown.

Photo courtesy of the CDC Special Bacteriology Reference Lab 

BOSTON — A deadly infection that has now spread to three states is puzzling disease investigators.