A spotlight on Raoultella ornithinolytica: A newly emerging life-threatening zoonotic pathogen

Abstract

The genus Raoultella contains Raoultella ornithinolytica (R. ornithinolytica), which was previously named as Klebsiella ornithinolytica. R. ornithinolytica is a Gram-negative bacillus that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. This pathogen is normally present in aquaculture, and it has been isolated from fish, insects, and wild and domestic birds. Seafood and poultry products are incriminated as sources of R. ornithinolytica infection. Community-acquired human infection with R. ornithinolytica is common. This infection is commonly associated with sepsis, bacteremia, food poisoning, purities, and urinary and respiratory tracts' infections. Rapid acquired resistance of R. ornithinolytica strains is common, and it is related to the development of resistant genes. R. ornithinolytica is considered as a newly emerging life-threatening pathogen world-wide. Hence, it is very important to determine the role of animals and birds in the epidemiological situation of this pathogen as well as the detection of antibiotic resistance genes before treatment.