Eikenella corrodens, an aerobic gram-negative bacilli found as a normal inhabitant of
upper respiratory tract, has been known to cause various infections. This organism was
isolated from pleural fluid of a 62-year-old male who developed empyema following
stomach cancer surgery. The bacteriological findings and the clinical conditions of the
patient are presented.
1. The isolate was found to have fastidious cultural and unique biochemical
characteristics of E. corrodens.
2. Predominance of this organism, although Streptococcus intermedius and Bacteroieds
species were also isolated, indicated etiologic role in the infection.
3. The operation of the stomach was considered predisposed the infection by this
opportunistic pathogen.
4. The isolate was found susceptible to many antibiotics by a disk diffusion method,
and the patient was cured after receiving kanamycin, gentamicin, ampicillin,
erythromycin, & tetracycline together with incision and drainage.
It is concluded that this organism may be difficult to culture because of its
fastidiousness, but easy to identify due to its unique cultural and biochemical
characteristics.
Isolation an4 identification of this organism should be important not only to establish
etiologic diagnosis but alto help choose proper antibiotics for treatment in severe
infections.
|