NONEPIDEMIC ERWINIA-HERBICOLA (ENTEROBACTER-AGGLOMERANS) IN BLOOD CULTURES - BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF 15 CASES

The finding of Erwinia herbicola (Enterobacter agglomerans) in blood cultures of 15 inpatients, during a 53/4-year period in a nonepidemic context, was analyzed for clinical significance. Mixed cultures were seen in 5 patients; multiple sets were taken in 10 patients. In only 6 patients could Erwinia be significantly correlated with clinical septicemia; in 9, it was of doubtful significance, more likely reflecting transient bacteremia than skin contamination or laboratory handling. These findings contrast to previous reports that stress a preponderance of clinically significant strains of Enterobacter species and Erwinia from blood cultures. The only bacteriological differences between the significant" and "doubtful" groups involved the time required to detect Erwinia. © 1978 Springer-Verlag New York Inc."