Proteus-Morganella-Providencia

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Widely recognized human pathogens in the genus Proteus

Proteus species

P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris

Have been isolated from urine, wounds, and ear and bacteremic infections

Proteus species

P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris

Associated primarily with UTIs, and also cause septicemia, and pneumonia

Proteus species

P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris

Highly motile (Hypermotile)

Proteus species

P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris

Proteus species

UTI

In UTI, they produce urease that hydrolyzes urea in urine to ammonia and ammonium carbonate making the urine alkaline, thus favoring bacterial growth; and, because acidification is virtually impossible, this results in the formation struvite kidney stones (or calculi) that can cause an obstruction and leads to kidney failure.

The only species of the genus Morganella

Morganella morganii

Previously designated as Proteus morganii

Morganella morganii

Cause of UTI and wound infections and has also been identified as a cause of neonatal sepsis

Morganella morganii

Also produces urease and is motile but unlike Proteus species, it does not swarm.

Morganella morganii

Morganella morganii

PPT

______________ have been associated with human infections

Providencia species

P. rettgeri and P. stuartii

_______________ is a documented pathogen of the urinary tract and has caused occasional outbreaks in health care settings and also been implicated in diarrheal disease among travelers.

Providencia species

P. rettgeri

_____________ has been implicated in outbreaks in burn units and has been isolated from urine cultures.

Providencia species

P. stuartii

_______________ is most commonly found in the feces of children with diarrhea.

Providencia species

P. alcalifaciens

Its role as a cause of diarrhea has not been proven.

Providencia species

P. alcalifaciens