Cronobacter turicensis z3032

Cronobacter turicensis (strain DSM 18703 / LMG 23827 / z3032) is Gram-negative bacterium. Turicensis is the Latin name of Zurich, as the type strain originates from Zurich, Switzerland. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis (or coloenteritis), bacteraemia, meningitis and brain abscess/lesions with fatal mortality rates ranging from 40 to 80% . Neonates and infants under two months, born prematurely or with low birth weight are at highest risk for infection most commonly by Cronobacter sp. contaminated powdered infant milk formulas. Notably, Cronobacter sp. is often found in food preparation environments (i.e. chocolate, pasta, cereal and dairy production areas). However, the natural reservoir of this opportunistic pathogen remains unknown. Recently, it has been shown that some strains are able to adhere to human epithelial and endothelial cells. Moreover, Cronobacter sp. is capable of infecting and persisting in human macrophages. It is expected that bacterial virulence factors such as toxins, iron chelators, secretion systems and immune system evasion mechanisms are involved in the infection process. (Adaptated from PMID: 19609963). (EBI Integr8)