Edwardsiella tarda: a causative agent in human infections.

In a retrospective study 45 specimens of E. tarda infection from 44 adult cases at Songklanagarind Hospital during February 1982 to March 1989 were reviewed. There were 24 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 48.20 years. Nearly all of E. tarda were isolated from extraintestinal sources, especially pus and urine and most of them were subsequently found to be nosocomial-acquired infections. About half were polomicrobial infections of E. tarda and gram negative bacilli. Forty one patients were cured of the infection. Three cases died from bacteremia and serious underlying diseases.