Pathogenicity of Eikenella corrodens in humans

Eikenella corrodens is resident flora of the normal adult human oral cavity. Four cases of verified infection and previous case reports of infections caused by this organism were reviewed and analyzed. Rarely has this bacillus been found as the sole isolate to initiate infection in the host with normal immune status. In the immunocompromised host, this organism was observed as the sole isolate in cases of persistent empyemas and/or overwhelming pneumonias with bacteremias. The potential of the organism singly to perpetuate an established infection appears real. In the immunocompromised patients such potentials are accentuated and can result in fulminant pulmonary infections and death. The finding of E corrodens in an infection site of a compromised patient should indicate specific therapy.