Ewingella americana

Ewingella americana is a Gram-negative rod, and the only species in the genus Ewingella. It was first identified and characterized in 1983. Ewingella is in the family Yersiniaceae. The organism is rarely reported as a human pathogen, though it has been isolated from a variety of clinical specimens, including wounds, sputum, urine, stool, blood, synovial fluid,^[2] conjunctiva, and peritoneal dialysate.^[3] The bacterium is named in honor of William H. Ewing, an American biologist who contributed to modern taxonomy.

Ewingella americana
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Pseudomonadati
Phylum:	Pseudomonadota
Class:	Gammaproteobacteria
Order:	Enterobacterales
Family:	Yersiniaceae
Genus:	Ewingella
Species:	E. americana
Binomial name
Ewingella americana Grimont et al. 1984[1]

Epidemiology

Respiratory-tract infections following retainment in intensive-care units has been observed in several instances. A case of E. americana causing osteomyelitis and septic arthritis of the shoulder joint in a previous intravenous drug abuser has also been reported.^[4] Vascular bypass surgery is a reported risk factor for colonization.^[5][6] Debate currently exists as to this organism's predilection for immunocompromised patients.^[7]

Pathophysiology and biochemistry

E. americana is an organism with simple nutritional needs that can survive in water and citrate solution, and preferentially grows at 4°C. Domestic sources of water, including air conditioning units, ice baths, and wound irrigation systems, have been cited as sources of infection.^[8]