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Questions and Answers
Which species of Cronobacter is most commonly associated with neonatal infections?
Which species of Cronobacter is most commonly associated with neonatal infections?
What characteristic distinguishes Cronobacter spp. from Enterobacter spp. in laboratory testing?
What characteristic distinguishes Cronobacter spp. from Enterobacter spp. in laboratory testing?
What fermentation reaction is positive for Cronobacter spp.?
What fermentation reaction is positive for Cronobacter spp.?
What type of infections is Cronobacter malonaticus most commonly associated with?
What type of infections is Cronobacter malonaticus most commonly associated with?
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Which antibiotic is Cronobacter intrinsically resistant to?
Which antibiotic is Cronobacter intrinsically resistant to?
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Study Notes
Cronobacter Genus Overview
- Cronobacter is a group of opportunistic pathogens, including 10 species.
- Clinically relevant species include Cronobacter malonaticus, Cronobacter muytjensii, Cronobacter sakazakii, and Cronobacter turicensis.
- Previously considered a single species (Enterobacter sakazakii), genetic testing revealed greater diversity.
- C. sakazakii is linked to neonatal infections, while C. malonaticus is associated with adult infections.
Pathogenicity and Symptoms
- Cronobacter spp. cause bacteremia, meningitis, and necrotizing colitis in neonates.
- C. sakazakii's association with neonatal infections may be linked to metabolizing sialic acid in breast milk, infant formula, and other materials.
- The bacteria produces mucoid colonies, resembling Enterobacter and Klebsiella species in culture.
- A yellow pigment is produced, which intensity increases with incubation at 25°C.
Differentiation from Other Bacteria
- Differentiation of Cronobacter from Enterobacter is possible through Voges-Proskauer tests.
- Other key fermentation reactions include:
- D-sorbitol: negative
- Raffinose: positive
- L-rhamnose: positive
- Melibiose: positive
- D-arabitol: positive
- Sucrose: positive
- Some commercial kits/systems fail to differentiate Cronobacter at the species level, leading to misidentification of clinical cases.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Cronobacter species are intrinsically resistant to ampicillin and first & second generation cephalosporins due to an inducible AmpC chromosomal beta-lactamase.
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Description
This quiz covers the Cronobacter genus, exploring its clinically relevant species, their pathogenicity, and associated symptoms. It highlights the risks of neonatal infections and differentiates Cronobacter from other similar bacteria. Test your knowledge on this important group of opportunistic pathogens.
