II. Pathophysiology
- Enterobacter are facultatively anaerobic, highly motile, gas forming, Gram-negative rods in Enterobacteriaceae family
- Grouped with ESP Gram Negative Bacteria (Enterobacter, Serratia, Providencia)
- Colonizer of the normal human intestinal tract, and found in animal feces, sewage, soil, water, and dairy products
- Of the 22 identified Enterobacter species, only some are known to cause disease in humans
- Virulence factors
- Peritrichous flagella allows for high motility
- Increasing Antibiotic Resistance (including Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae)
III. Risk Factors
- Immunocompromised State (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus, Chemotherapy)
- Invasive medical devices
IV. Associated Conditions
-
Nosocomial Infection
- Respiratory tract infections
- Urinary Tract Infections (esp. CAUTI)
- Surgical Wound Infections
- Uncommon cause of community acquired infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Upper Respiratory Infections
- Osteomyelitis
- Endocarditis
- Soft tissue infections
V. Resources
- Enterobacter Infections (StatPearls)