| Description | Citrobacter koseri is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that thrives in a mesophilic temperature range, preferring temperatures between 25-37°C. As a chemoheterotroph, it obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds and using them as a source of carbon and energy. This bacterium produces energy through aerobic respiration, utilizing oxygen as its primary electron acceptor. Citrobacter koseri is characterized as a Gram-negative bacterium, indicating that its cell wall lacks a peptidoglycan layer and contains a lipopolysaccharide outer membrane. In terms of shape, it is a rod-shaped bacterium, with a length ranging from 1-3 μm and a width of 0.5-1 μm. This bacterium is found in all body sites, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, and can colonize various surfaces and objects. Citrobacter koseri is an obligate aerobe, requiring oxygen to grow and metabolize. It is unable to survive in anaerobic environments and would likely be outcompeted by more resilient anaerobes. In addition to its basic characteristics, Citrobacter koseri is a significant pathogen, particularly in neonates and young children, where it can cause meningitis, sepsis, and urinary tract infections. Infections by this bacterium are often associated with compromised immune systems, such as those in patients with cystic fibrosis or who have undergone organ transplantation. Citrobacter koseri has been shown to be resistant to many antibiotics, including cephalosporins, penicillins, and aminoglycosides, making treatment challenging. Furthermore, its ability to produce biofilms, which are complex communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces, increases its resistance to antimicrobial agents and allows it to persist in the environment. |
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