title: Classification, identification, and clinical significance of Proteus, Providencia, and Morganella.
abstract: This review presents the current taxonomy of the genera Proteus, Providencia, and Morganella, along with the current methods for the identification of each species within the three genera, incorporating both conventional biochemical and commercial methods. While all of these organisms are ubiquitous in the environment, individual case reports and nosocomial outbreak reports that demonstrate their ability to cause major infectious disease problems are presented. Lastly, anticipated antimicrobial susceptibility patterns are reviewed. Many of these organisms are easily controlled, but the advent of newer and more powerful antimicrobial agents has led to some problems of which laboratorians need to be aware.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infections Program, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. cmo1@cdc.gov
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D020596:Morganella / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011511:Proteus / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D011532:Providencia / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents