Eikenella corrodens in hand infections

Clinical and therapeutic information on 21 patients with hand infection due to Eikenella corrodens is reported. Patients given empiric therapy ineffective against E. corrodens had a high incidence of complications, while proper empiric therapy was associated with good recovery. All hand wounds should be cultured aerobically and anaerobically and empiric antibiotic therapy should include a penicillinase-resistant penicillin or cephalosporin in combination with penicillin G.