[Eikenella corrodens: five year experience in a general hospital]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Eikenella corrodens is a Gram-negative bacillus colonizing oropharyngeal and digestive mucous membranes.
• Its difficulty in laboratory isolation may lead to underestimation of its role in various infections.
• This study reviews a five-year hospital experience with E. corrodens infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spectrum and characteristics of infections caused by Eikenella corrodens.
• To highlight the clinical significance and diagnostic challenges associated with E. corrodens.
• To underscore the importance of isolating E. corrodens in polymicrobial infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 125 infection cases.
• No selective medium was used for bacterial isolation.
• Analysis of infection sources, patient demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Infections were predominantly linked to the oral cavity (54%) and gastrointestinal tract (36%).
• Common infections included postsurgical (32), appendiceal (22), abscesses (22), and traumatic wounds (12).
• Etiology was polymicrobial in 91% of cases, frequently involving Streptococcus spp.; severe outcomes like subdural empyema and mediastinitis were reported, but all outcomes were satisfactory with no deaths.

Conclusions:

• E. corrodens infections are typically associated with its natural habitat but present a wide clinical spectrum.
• The polymicrobial nature of these infections complicates diagnosis and interpretation.
• Efforts to isolate E. corrodens are justified due to its association with serious or slow-healing infections.