infectious diseases
Oligella Infections
Introduction
Oligellaspecies are gram-negative organisms that cause infection primarily of the genitourinary tract. The genusOligellacontains 2 species,Oligella urethralisandOligella ureolytica. is a commensal of the genitourinary tract, and most clinical isolates are from the urine, predominantly from men. Although symptomatic infections are rare, Bacteremia , O. ureolyticaalso occurs primarily in the urine, usually from patients with long-term urinary catheters or other urinary drainage systems. These patients have a propensity to develop urinary stones, possibly because the organism hydrolyzesureaand alkalinizes the urine, leading to precipitation of phosphates. Bacteremia has occurred in a patient with obstructive uropathy. Diagnosis ofOligellainfections is by culture. Because these organisms are rarely isolated, antimicrobial susceptibility data are limited; most are sensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics. However, a beta-lactamase–producing strain and strains resistant tociprofloxacinhave been identified. 