Enterobacter aerogenes

Enterobacter aerogenes is a Gram-negative, oxidase negative, catalase positive, rod-shaped bacterium.

E. aerogenes is a nosocomial pathogen that causes opportunistic skin and tissue infections. Some strains can become very treatment resistant, a result of their colonization within hospital environments.

Most of the infections caused by E. aerogenes result from specific antibiotic treatments, venous catheter insertions, and/or surgical procedures. E. aerogenes is generally found in the human intestinal tract and does not generally cause disease in healthy individuals. It has been found to live in various wastes, hygenic chemicals, and soil. The bacterium also has some commercial significance - the hydrogen gas produced during fermentation has been experimented with in the production of molasses.

One possible identification code generated by testing E. aerogenes using an API strip is 5 305 773.