Morganella morganii, a non-negligent opportunistic pathogen

Int J Infect Dis. 2016 Sep:50:10-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.07.006. Epub 2016 Jul 12.

Abstract

Morganella morganii belongs to the tribe Proteeae of the Enterobacteriaceae family. This species is considered as an unusual opportunistic pathogen that mainly causes post-operative wound and urinary tract infections. However, certain clinical M. morganii isolates present resistance to multiple antibiotics by carrying various resistant genes (such as blaNDM-1, and qnrD1), thereby posing a serious challenge for clinical infection control. Moreover, virulence evolution makes M. morganii an important pathogen. Accumulated data have demonstrated that M. morganii can cause various infections, such as sepsis, abscess, purple urine bag syndrome, chorioamnionitis, and cellulitis. This bacterium often results in a high mortality rate in patients with some infections. M. morganii is considered as a non-negligent opportunistic pathogen because of the increased levels of resistance and virulence. In this review, we summarized the epidemiology of M. morganii, particularly on its resistance profile and resistant genes, as well as the disease spectrum and risk factors for its infection.

Keywords: Morganella morganii; disease spectrum; epidemiology; resistant genes; risk factors..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Morganella morganii / drug effects
  • Morganella morganii / genetics
  • Morganella morganii / physiology*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents