Chapter 5 : Other Escherichia Species

Abstract:

In the early 1980s, three more species were identified and rapidly added to the genus Escherichia. A table provides a list of all species of Escherichia other than E. coli, along with the G+C ratios and culture collection designations. An enterotoxin(s) is the most likely explanation for the enteropathogenicity found in the ileal loops, although the isolates were not tested for other virulence factors. A complete biochemical work-up is required to separate these species from E. coli O157:H7, since cross-reactions are known to occur in O157 antiserum, especially with strains of E. hermannii. Limited susceptibility testing information is available for the Escherichia species, except for E. hermannii and E. vulneris. A multinational study from Germany and Bangladesh has characterized 21 strains of the newly described species E. albertii and determined the in vitro susceptibility of these strains to 69 antimicrobial agents. Results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing correlated from multiple reports have been provided in this chapter. A number of additional biochemical tests were found useful in distinguishing E. albertii from Hafnia alvei sensu stricto. These tests included hydroxyproline amidase, tripeptidase, proline deaminase, assimilation of histidine, and fermentation of L-rhamnose, D-xylose, and glycerol.