A genus of aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, nonsporeforming, motile bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) containing Gram-negative rods. The cells are peritrichous, and some strains have encapsulated cells. Glucose is fermented with the production of acid and gas. The Voges-Proskauer test is usually positive. Gelatin is slowly liquefied by the most commonly occurring forms (E. cloacae). These organisms occur in the feces of humans and other animals and in sewage, soil, water, and dairy products; recognized as an agent of common nosocomial infections of the urinary tract, lungs, or blood; somewhat resistant to antibiotics. This genus characteristically acquires resistance rapidly in part because of the presence of inducible β-lactamases; the type species is E. cloacae.
- E. aerogenes a bacterial species found in water, soil, sewage, dairy products, and the feces of humans and other animals. Organisms previously identified as motile strains of Aerobacter aerogenes are now placed in this species. SYN: Klebsiella mobilis.
- E. cloacae a bacterial species found in the feces of humans and other animals and in sewage, soil, and water; it is occasionally found in urine and pus and in other pathologic materials from animals; it is the type species of the genus E.. A serious cause of nosocomial infection.
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En·tero·bac·ter 'ent-ə-rō-.bak-tər n a genus of aerobic gram-negative bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that produce acid and gas from many sugars (as dextrose and lactose), form acetoin, are widely distributed in nature (as in feces, soil, water, and the contents of human and animal intestines), and include some that may be pathogenic
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En·tero·bac·ter (en″tər-o-bakґtər) [entero- + Gr. baktron a rod] a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, made up of motile, peritrichously flagellated cells, some being encapsulated. The organisms occur in the intestinal tracts of many different animals, and frequently cause nosocomial infections as a result of contaminated medical devices or personnel. The type species is E. cloaґcae.Medical dictionary. 2011.