Enterobacter aerogenes is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Its scientific name is spelled /ɛntəroʊˈbæktər ɛrəˈdʒɛnz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part of the word, "Enterobacter," is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, and the "o" in "Entero" is pronounced like the "aw" sound in "law." The second part of the word, "aerogenes," is pronounced with the stress on the second to last syllable, and the "e" in "aero" is pronounced like the "ee" sound in "feet."
Enterobacter aerogenes is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a facultative anaerobe, capable of living in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Enterobacter aerogenes can be found widely in nature, including soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, making it an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in both hospital and community settings.
This bacterium possesses a capsule and flagella that aid in its attachment to surfaces and subsequent motility. It is characterized by the production of both exotoxins and endotoxins, which contribute to its pathogenicity. Enterobacter aerogenes can cause various infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, bloodstream infections, and wound infections.
Enterobacter aerogenes has shown resistance to multiple antibiotics, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), making it a significant concern in healthcare settings. The resistance mechanisms of this bacterium involve the production of various enzymes that can inactivate antibiotics or alter the target sites.
Identification and diagnosis of Enterobacter aerogenes rely on isolation and propagation of the bacterium from clinical samples, followed by phenotypic and biochemical testing, such as the detection of specific enzymes and metabolic activity. Molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, can also aid in accurate identification.
In summary, Enterobacter aerogenes is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause opportunistic infections and possesses resistance to several antibiotics. The understanding of its pathogenicity and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are crucial in the development of effective treatment strategies.
The word "Enterobacter" comes from the Greek words "entero" meaning "intestine" and "bakterion" meaning "small rod" or "bacterium". It refers to a genus of bacteria that commonly inhabit the intestines of animals, including humans.
"Aerogenes" is derived from the Latin word "aer" meaning "air" and the Greek word "genesis" meaning "origin" or "birth". It describes the ability of this bacterium to produce gas or gas bubbles in certain types of culture media.
Therefore, the term "Enterobacter aerogenes" can be understood to mean a rod-shaped bacteria originating from the intestines that has the ability to produce gas.