ABSTRACT
I. BACKGROUND Enterobacter sakazakii is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, genus Enterobacter. In the past this organism was referred to as a "yellow-pigmented" Enterobacter cloacae. In 1980 Enterobacter sakazakii was designated as a unique species (1) based on differences from E. cloacae in DNA relatedness, pigment production, and biochemical reactions. This organism has been implicated in outbreaks causing either severe neonatal meningitis in premature babies or necrotizing enterocolitis. A mortality rate of 40-80% has been reported in the literature, and in many cases neonates die within days of birth. In surviving patients severe neurological sequelae such as hydrocephalus, quadraplegia, and retarded neural development can occur. Contaminated dry infant formulas have been identified as the source of E. sakazakii in some of the outbreaks and sporadic cases of meningitis. Data on its occurrence in the environment are still limited.
