Abstract
Eshcerichia hermannii is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae, first described in 1982 and reclassified as a distinct species in the Escherichia genus after identifying biochemical and genomic differences from E. coli. It is a rare cause of human infections and is supposed to be a co-infector rather than an autonomous cause of infection. The aim of this systematic review was to record and evaluate all available evidence regarding human infections by E. hermannii. A systematic review of PubMed (through 21 December 2018) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological information, as well as treatment data and outcomes of E. hermannii infections was performed. A total of 16 studies, containing data of 17 patients, were eventually included in the analysis. The most common E. hermannii infections were bacteremias, urinary tract, and central nervous system infections. The complication rate, like the occurrence of sepsis, was high. Cephalosporins and aminoglycosides were the most common agents used for treatment. This systematic review describes bacterial infections by E. hermannii and provides information on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, antibiotic resistance, treatment, and outcomes associated with these infections.
Highlights
Escherichia hermannii is a gram-negative bacterium that belongs in the family of Enterobacteriaceae and was first described in 1982 [1]
Several members of the Enterobacteriaceae have been reclassified as unique species among the Escherichia genus, such as E.vulneris, E.blattae, E.fegusonii, and E. hermannii, based on intra-species DNA homology, guanine cytosine content, genome size, and biochemical tests [1,7]
E. hermannii can be differentiated by E. coli due to different biochemical characteristics, like a positive reaction to potassium cyanate, the fermentation of cellobiose, and the production of a yellow pigment [1]
Summary
Escherichia hermannii is a gram-negative bacterium that belongs in the family of Enterobacteriaceae and was first described in 1982 [1]. It had been formerly known as enteric group 11 of E. coli but was later on reclassified as a distinct species in the Escherichia genus after identifying unique genomic features that allowed discrimination from E. coli [2]. E. hermannii has been a rare cause of human infections and is supposed to be mostly a co-infector in polymicrobial infections and not considered truly pathogenic [3]. The purpose of this study was to systemically review all published cases of E. hermannii infections and describe the epidemiology, microbiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, treatment, and outcomes of these human infections
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