Abstract

Eikenella corrodens, an aerobic gram-negative bacilli found as a normal inhabitant of upper respiratory tract, has been known to cause various infections. This organism was isolated from pleural fluid of a 62-year-old male who developed empyema following stomach cancer surgery. The bacteriological findings and the clinical conditions of the patient are presented. 1. The isolate was found to have fastidious cultural and unique biochemical characteristics of E. corrodens. 2. Predominance of this organism, although Streptococcus intermedius and Bacteroides species were also isolated, indicated etiologic role in the infection. 3. The operation of the stomach was considered predisposed the infection by this opportunistic pathogen. 4. The isolate was found susceptible to many antibiotics by a disk diffusion method, and the patient was cured after receiving kanamycin, gentamicin, ampicillin, erythromycin, & tetracycline together with incision and drainage. It is concluded that this organism may be difficult to culture because of its fastidiousness, but easy to identify due to its unique cultural and biochemical characteristics. Isolation an4 identification of this organism should be important not only to establish etiologic diagnosis but alto help choose proper antibiotics for treatment in severe infections.