Eikenella corrodens infections in children.

Techniques for obtaining, transporting, and culturing bacteriologic specimens have improved in recent years. The laboratory is now identifying rare fastidious organisms in surgical infections, which were previously unknown to clinicians. One of these organisms, Eikenella corrodens, was found in 28 children over 5 years. It was most commonly found in patients with perforated appendices or in wounds with oral contamination. Eikenella most often occurs in multibacterial infections but has also been grown in pure culture. When this bacteria is found in a patient with a serious surgical infection the wound must be widely opened and debrided of necrotic tissue. Prolonged antibiotic therapy based on culture and sensitivity is necessary to prevent prolonged or recurrent infection.