Proteus mirabilis

Introduction

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Pathology

• urinary tract infection
  • acute
  • chronic
    • urease activity
    • struvite nephrolithiasis
• bacteremia: usually from urinary tract infection
• opportunistic infections in debilitated patients on broad spectrum antibiotics
• destructive otic infections with subsequent
  • dural sinus thrombosis
  • meningitis
  • brain abscess
  • bacteremia
• corneal ulceration
• burn & wound infection

Laboratory

• Proteus mirabilis DNA
• culture from normally sterile site
  • Proteus mirabilis swarms on most agar

Management

• uncomplicated cystitis
  • ampicillin 0.5-1 g IV every 6 hours
• severe infection
  • ampicillin 2-3 g IV every 6 hours plus gentamicin 3-5 mg/kg IV every 8 hours
  • 3rd generation cephalosporin
• infected struvite stones may require removal

More general terms

• Proteus