Enterobacter sakazakii: a review.
Enterobacter sakazakii, previously referred to as a yellow-pigmented Enterobacter cloacae was designated as a unique species in 1980. This reclassification was based on differences from E. cloacae in DNA relatedness, pigment production and biochemical reactions. E. sakazakii has been implicated in a severe form of neonatal meningitis. Although studies have failed to identify an environmental source for the organism, dried-infant formula has been implicated in both outbreaks and sporadic cases of E. sakazakii meningitis. The high mortality rate (40-80%), the severity of the infection in infants, plus the scarcity of information on the ecology and pathogenicity of this organism warranted a review of the clinical and microbiological features of this putative foodborne pathogen.
Nazarowec-White
M
M
Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. mnazarowecwhite@hpb.hwc.ca
Farber
J M
JM
D004754:Enterobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000382:microbiology; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*