Domain Bacteria Order Enterobacteriales Genus Providencia Higher classification Providencia | Phylum Proteobacteria Family Enterobacteriaceae Scientific name Providencia rettgeri Rank Species | |
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Similar Providencia, Providencia stuartii, Morganella morganii, Bacteria, Citrobacter freundii | ||
Providencia rettgeri (commonly P. rettgeri), is a Gram negative bacterium that is commonly found in both water and land environments. P. rettgeri is in the genus Providencia, along with Providencia stuartii, Providencia alcalifaciens, and Providencia rustigianii. P. rettgeri can be incubated at 37 °C in nutrient agar or nutrient broth. It was first discovered in 1904 after a waterfowl epidemic. Strains of the species have also been isolated from nematodes.
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Identification
P. rettgeri can be identified by its motility and its ability to produce acid from mannitol. It does not produce gas from glucose and does not ferment lactose. It also does not produce hydrogen sulfide or acid from xylose.
Pathogenicity
Providencia rettgeri can cause a number of opportunistic infections in humans and can be found in the human gut. It is a major cause of traveller's diarrhea. Strains of P. rettgeri have also been found to cause urinary tract infections and eye infections.