Information on Enterobacter Cloacae

Enterobacter cloacae belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. E. cloacae is one of thirteen species and is responsible for causing morbidity and infections such as urinary tract infections and skin infections amongst hospitalized patients. Some species of Enterobacteriaceae have become drug-resistant, which makes fighting infections difficult. However, Enterobacter infections are most commonly associated with people who have compromised immune systems.

Geography

• Infections are common in hospitals.

  The presence of E.cloacae can be more commonly found within the feces of humans, animals, sewage, contaminated soil and water. Sometimes the bacteria can also be identified in the urine or pus of an infected person or animal. According to the American Society for Microbiology, E. cloacae infections are becoming common amongst patients that are hospitalized or impaired.

Prevalence of Infection

• E. cloacae infections can result from burns.

  E. cloacae are the cause of nosocomial infections, or infections that develop within a hospital. Those who stay for an extended amount of time in the ICU (intensive care unit), patients with ulcers, burn victims, people with immunosuppresion and various other medical conditions can result in the development of an E. cloacae infection. Enterobacter species are also capable of producing an endotoxin, which can be released into your body as a result of an infection. The release of endotoxins due to E. cloacae can result in sepsis.

Spreading

• Proper hand washing is necessary.

  Enterobacter infections are spread through poorly controlled hygiene methods. For example, without utilizing proper hand washing techniques, infections can easily be spread amongst patients within hospitals. Cross-contamination of equipment that is used on multiple patients, such as blood pressure cuffs, can also cause an E. cloacae outbreak amongst patients.

Mortality

• Infections due to E. cloacae occur frequently. According to eMedicine, E. cloacae is responsible for the "highest mortality rate" amongst Enterobacter infecting agents. Mortality refers to the amount of deaths that occur within the patient population of an entire hospital.

Drug Resistance

• E. cloacae can be resistant to antibiotics.

  The treatment of Enterobacter species such as E. cloacae has become difficult due to the resistance of antibiotics. E. cloacae produce inducible beta-lactamases, which are a type of enzyme. These enzymes are capable of developing resistance to antibiotics, especially when bacterium mutate. E. cloacae is particularly resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin and cephalosporins.