Enterobacter cloacae

Enterobacter cloacae (pronunciation: en-ter-o-bak-ter klo-a-kae) is a species of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter. It is oxidase-negative, indole-positive, and uses citrate as a sole carbon source.

Etymology

The name Enterobacter cloacae is derived from the Greek word "enteron" meaning intestine, and the Latin word "cloaca" meaning sewer. This is in reference to the environment where this bacterium is commonly found.

Characteristics

Enterobacter cloacae is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium. It is part of the normal gut flora in humans and is also found in the environment. E. cloacae can act as an opportunistic pathogen and is associated with hospital-acquired infections.

Clinical Significance

Enterobacter cloacae can cause a variety of infections, including urinary tract infections, septicemia, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and intra-abdominal infections. It is also associated with neonatal sepsis and meningitis in immunocompromised individuals.

Treatment

Treatment of Enterobacter cloacae infections can be challenging due to its inherent resistance to many antibiotics, including cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. However, it is usually susceptible to carbapenems, quinolones, and tigecycline.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Enterobacter cloacae
Wikipedia's article - Enterobacter cloacae

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Enterobacter cloacae