Two isolations of enteric group 69 from human clinical specimens

Enteric Group 69 has previously only been isolated from beef muscle. Two cases of isolations from human clinical specimens are reported on here: One from a throat swab and one from an abscess. In both cases, only EG 69 was cultured. This group has biochemical reactions similar to Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter sakazakii. EG 69 produces yellow pigment as E. sakazakii but only the former ferments sorbitol and dulcitol. EG 69 utilizes malonate and usually ferments sucrose slowly (3-4 days). EG 69 is distinguished from E. Cloacae by production of yellow pigment, fermentation of dulcitol and usually late fermentation of sucrose. EG 69 was found resistant to ampicillin and carbenicillin and susceptible to cephalothin. The pathogenic potential for man is still questionable, but EG 69 is shown to occur in human clinical specimens.