Enterobacter cloacae is Inactivated by Germicidal UV Light

What is Enterobacter cloacae?

Enterobacter cloacae is a rod-shaped, naturally occurring bacterium which commonly resides in the human digestive tract. It can cause a variety of infectionsopen_in_new in immunocompromised people through direct contact with those infected or exposure to contaminated surgical devices and fluids. These infections happen predominantly within medical facilities, particularly intensive care units and neonatal wards. The overuse of antibiotics has only compounded the frequency and success of these opportunistic pathogens which originate in water, soil, sewageopen_in_new, and dairy productsopen_in_new.

As part of the Enterobacter genus, E. cloacae is classified as an ESKAPE pathogen along with Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, which also commonly cause healthcare-associated infections. As with its close relatives, E. cloacae has shown a strong antimicrobial resistanceopen_in_new, particularly to ampicillin and cephalosporin, two popular and potent antibiotics. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. cloacae possess two inherent defensesopen_in_new against antibiotics: the existence of a protective outer membrane, and the ability to release endotoxins when their cell wall is attacked.

Because of this resistance, the arsenal of effective therapeutic solutions to E. cloacae infections has greatly diminished. An increased interest in the study of these organisms has taken place in the last three decades, some even labeling it as a “global, diversifying threatopen_in_new.” This bacterium is also the primary member of a group of closely-related bacteria commonly referred to as the Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC). Infections from this genus are considered very serious, with a high mortality rateopen_in_new.

Where does it colonize?

Hospital room with beds — Medical Environments

Hand with microscopic germs showing on it — Skin

What can it infect?

Man with lungs and upper respiratory tract showing — Lungs

Man with heart and veins showing through skin — Bloodstream

Woman with urinary tract showing — Urinary Tract

How does it spread?

Doctor with needle, about to inject into IV port on arm — Contaminated Surfaces & Equipment

Woman using faucet in public bathroom — Water Fixtures & Reservoirs

Preventing the Spread of Enterobacter cloacae

As with most bacterial infections, the best defenseopen_in_new against the spread of E. cloacae is good personal hygiene, specifically the frequent washing of hands. Medical surfaces and equipment should also be adequately disinfected. Since E. Cloacae is listed as one of the CDC’s opportunistic pathogens of premise plumbingopen_in_new, establishing a water management program is crucial to limiting the possibility of healthcare-associated infections. Medical facility outbreaks of E. Cloacae have been documentedopen_in_new from ice machines, sinks, and other water containers.

The spread of Enterobacter cloacae can also be minimized by:

Minimizing antibiotic use
Isolation from those infected

Get More Protection with UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, germicidal ultraviolet (UV-C) water disinfection can greatly enhance any size water management program. UV air and surface disinfection can inactivate Enterobacter cloacae on surfaces in high-risk locations such as hospitals, medical facilities, and nursing homes. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Learn about these applications:

Medical Air & Surfaces

Medical Water

View all UV-C Application Pages.

Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See UV-C doses below.

Enterobacter cloacae: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:	Alternate Name:	Type:	Disease:	*UV Dose:**
Enterobacter cloacae	E. cloacae	Bacteria	Pneumonia, UTIs, Sepsis	12.8 mJ/cm²

* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.

Looking to inactivate another pathogen? View our complete list of UV-C doses for neutralizing many more bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mold, and yeast.

People at High Risk of Infection

The following individuals are at high risk of Enterobacter cloacae infection:

Those who are immune-compromised or have pre-existing medical conditions
Patients in hospitals
ICU patients
Patients who have had a recent invasive procedure
Babies in neonatal units
Those in contact with infected medical staff
Patients undergoing long term antibiotic use

Enterobacter cloacae Symptoms

There are many potential symptoms of an E. cloacae infection, as it may attack many different areas of the body. Enterobacter cloacae symptoms include the following:

Cough
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Fever

Painful urination
Frequency of urination
Inflammation
Shock

Possible Complications from Enterobacter cloacae

Individuals infected with Enterobacter cloacae are at risk of the following complications:

Urinary tract infection
Pneumonia
Sepsis
Endocarditis

Leukocytosis
Respiratory infection
Soft tissue infection
Hypotension

Unsuccessfully treated complications could, and often do, result in death.

Sources on Enterobacter cloacae

The above information can be found on the following pages:

Dosage Source

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection. Wladyslaw Kowalski. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009.

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