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Proteus penneri isolated from the pus of a patient with epidural abscess
1Bacteriological Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical College, Shijiazhuang, China.
Abstract:
P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris are the two wellknown species in the genus Proteus. P. myxofaciens and P. penneri are recent additions to the genus. We isolated P. penneri from the pus of a patient with suppurative otitis media and an epidural abscess. The characteristics of the organism, including morphology, staining, physiology and biochemistry, were studied. Clinical microbiological laboratories should suspect P. penneri in the case of as Proteus strain that is negative for indole, salicin and esculin, but otherwise resembles P. vulgaris. Proteus penneri, formerly known as Proteus vulgaris indole-negative or as Proteus vulgaris biogroup 1, was named by Hickman et al in 1932. Little information about human infection by this organism is available. In 1982, Hickman and co-workers studied 20 strain of P. penneri which were isolated from clinical specimens (urine, stool, etc.) in the USA. However, its clinical significance, until recently, was unknown. We isolated a strain of P. penneri from the pus of a patient with suppurative otitis media and an epidural abscess on June 10 and 15, 1989. This paper concerns the problems encountered in identifying this organism and its clinical significance.
Insights
Proteus penneri, a bacterium formerly known as Proteus vulgaris, can cause serious infections like epidural abscesses. Microbiologists should identify it by its indole-negative, salicin-negative, and esculin-negative biochemical profile.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Proteus penneri is a recently identified species within the Proteus genus, alongside P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, and P. myxofaciens.
- Historically, P. penneri was referred to as Proteus vulgaris indole-negative or Proteus vulgaris biogroup 1.
- Limited data exists regarding human infections caused by P. penneri.
Observation:
- A clinical isolate of P. penneri was identified from pus samples of a patient diagnosed with suppurative otitis media and an epidural abscess.
- The study involved a detailed characterization of the P. penneri isolate, including its morphology, staining properties, and biochemical and physiological features.
- The isolate presented challenges in identification within a clinical microbiology laboratory setting.
Findings:
- Proteus penneri can be distinguished from other Proteus species by its negative results for indole, salicin, and esculin tests, while exhibiting other characteristics similar to P. vulgaris.
- The identification of P. penneri from a deep-seated infection (epidural abscess) highlights its potential as a human pathogen.
- The study details the specific biochemical and physiological tests crucial for accurate identification of P. penneri.
Implications:
- Clinical microbiology laboratories should consider P. penneri in the differential diagnosis of Proteus infections, particularly when indole, salicin, and esculin tests are negative.
- This finding underscores the importance of accurate bacterial identification for appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.
- Further research into the clinical significance and pathogenic potential of P. penneri is warranted.