Microbiology
E. lenta: anaerobic, non-sporulating, non-motile, Gram-positive bacilli that grow singly, as pairs, or in short chains. E. hongkongensis, E. sinensis.
Epidemiologic Risks
They are found in the human colon.
Syndromes
Bacteremia usually in association with a GI pathology. As is always the case, a hodgepodge of odd infections. Evidently the most common genera of nonspore-forming anaerobic gram-positive rod in intra-abdominal infections.
Bacteremia is associated with a high mortality rate, around 1 in 4 dies.
Treatment
Who knows. One report suggest "susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate cefoxitin, metronidazole, piperacillin/tazobactam, ertapenem and meropenem, 91% were susceptible to clindamycin, 74% to moxifloxacin and 39% to penicillin (PubMed).
But. Mono-therapy with Zosin for bacteremia is associated with increased mortality; metronidazole may be the best bet (PubMed)
Notes
Last update: 07/15/18