Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be colonized with unusual gram-negative bacilli whose identification is difficult and clinical impact unclear.

Taxonomy
Family: Rhodospirillaceae

Relationship
I.limosus belongs to the α-proteobacteria (class), and is therefore not closely related to B.cepacia complex or P. aeruginosa

Natural habitat
The natural reservoir is yet to be discovered, but its relationship with other non-fermentative rods suggests ecological resources

Clinical significance
I. limosus is able to stay for several months in the respiratory tract of CF-patients

Just as with the P. aeruginosa is an abundant production of mucus from I. limosus favorable for a persistent chronic infection.

However, the pathogenic role of I. limosus is unclear.