Campus Access Only

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of University of the Pacific. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Date of Award

1984

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Fuad M. Nahhas

First Committee Member

Dale McNeal

Second Committee Member

Kishori Chaubal

Abstract

Today three species are recognized in the genus: C. freundii, C. amalonaticus, and C, diversus. C. freundii is known to occur as three varieties: C. freundii H2S +, IND -, C. freundii H2S +, IND +, and C. freundii H2S -, IND -.

The role of Citrobacter in disease has not been investigated thoroughly. The organism is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine, being as common as Escherichia coli in infants. With age, the child's intestine begins to show a greater ratio of E. coli to Citrobacter (Nahhas, personal communication). Citrobacter has been reported as a cause of urinary and respiratory tract infections, especially in children. Hodges et at (1978), however, believe that in most cases, Citrobacter is found in a commensalistic relationship with the organism(s) causing the infection. Most patients from whom Citrobacter was cultured and underlying diseases or factors predisposing them to infection. outbreaks of neonatal meningitis in hospital maternity wards and nurseries have been attributed to contamination of nurses' hands and equipment by C. diversus (Anderson et al, 1981; Enzenauer et al, 1982). Osteomyelitis, neonatal diarrhea, neonatal septicemia, and brain abscesses caused by Citrobacter have also been reported (Barton and Walentik, 1982).

In January 1983, I began a study of this group with two objectives in mind: to study the biochemical and antibiogram characteristics of Citrobacter isolates from Stockton, California, and, if possible, to expand and update information on the biology of the genus.

Pages

48

Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

Rights Statement

No Known Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
The organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.