ENTEROBACTERIACEAE INFECTIONS

Definition

The Enterobacteriaceae comprise Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia, Yersinia, and other less common genera. These oxidase-negative, gram-negative, catalase-positive organisms are readily cultured on ordinary media, ferment glucose, and reduce
nitrates to nitrites. Only the clinically important organisms that are not discussed in other chapters are covered here.