Eikenella corrodens

Gram Stain

•  Gram negative slender straight bacilli, small rounded ends (facultative anaerobic)

Clinical Significance

This organism is part of the commensal oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal flora.

It is associated with juvenile and adult periodontitis as well as polymicrobial infections including wounds following human bites, odontogenic infections, necrotizing pneumonia, empyema, lung, visceral and brain abscesses.

It has also been associated with endocarditis (polymicrobial or monomicrobial), septicemia, meningitis, ophthalmic infections, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, post-surgical wound infections, and chorioamnionitis.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

This organism is usually susceptible to 3rd generation cephalosporins, quinolones, tetracyclines, and TMP/SMX.

It is resistant to clindamycin, 1st generation cephalosporins, macrolides, and aminoglycosides.