Pantoea agglomerans
Pantoea agglomerans: An Emerging Pathogen with Diverse Clinical Manifestations
Description
Pantoea agglomerans is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is widely distributed in the environment, including soil, water, plants, and animals. The bacterium exhibits a high degree of genetic diversity, with several subspecies and strains having been identified.
P. agglomerans is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can grow with or without oxygen. It produces a biofilm, a protective matrix that helps it adhere to surfaces and resist antimicrobial agents. The bacterium is motile, aiding its spread and colonization.
Associated Diseases
P. agglomerans is increasingly recognized as a causative agent of various human and animal diseases. The bacterium has been associated with infections in:
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Humans:
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Urinary tract infections
- Meningitis
- Endocarditis
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Animals:
- Sepsis in horses
- Respiratory infections in birds
- Mastitis in cattle
- Enteric infections in swine
Did you Know ?
- A study published in the journal "Emerging Infectious Diseases" reported that P. agglomerans accounted for approximately 2% of all Gram-negative bacterial infections in a tertiary care hospital in the United States. This highlights the growing significance of this bacterium as a human pathogen.
