Clinical Pathogenicity of Leclercia Adecarboxylata Infections

Leclercia adecarboxylata is a gram-negative bacillus within the Enterobacteriaceae family that has emerged as an opportunistic pathogen in both immunocompromised and, increasingly, immunocompetent individuals. Historically under-recognised due to misidentification as Escherichia coli or Pantoea species, its true clinical incidence is likely underestimated. Infections range from catheter-associated urinary tract and ventilator-associated respiratory infections to peritonitis, musculoskeletal and soft tissue involvement, and bloodstream invasion. While most isolates remain susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, the recent appearance of carbapenemase-producing strains poses a growing therapeutic challenge. Outbreak investigations have demonstrated the organism’s capacity for horizontal transfer of resistance plasmids and clonal dissemination, often linked to contaminated intravenous fluids or total parenteral nutrition. Accurate identification via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and molecular assays is critical to guide targeted therapy. Ongoing research aims to elucidate virulence mechanisms, environmental reservoirs and optimal management strategies, underscoring the global relevance of L. adecarboxylata as an emerging threat in hospital and community settings.

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Clinical Pathogenicity of Leclercia Adecarboxylata Infections publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in clinical pathogenicity of leclercia adecarboxylata infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Opportunistic pathogen: An organism that causes disease primarily in hosts with weakened defences.

Bacteremia: The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which can lead to systemic infection.

Carbapenemase: A type of enzyme capable of hydrolysing carbapenem antibiotics, conferring high-level resistance.

MALDI-TOF MS: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, a rapid method for bacterial identification based on protein profiles.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL): Enzymes that confer resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins by hydrolysing the β-lactam ring.

References

1. Case report: A rare case of Leclercia adecarboxylata bacteremia in an immunocompetent psychiatric patient: exploring the links between mental health and infectious diseases. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
2. First clinical case of VIM-1-producing Leclercia adecarboxylata: A case report and literature review. Medicine in Microecology (2023).
3. Leclercia adecarboxylata as Emerging Pathogen in Human Infections: Clinical Features and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Pathogens (2021).
4. Molecular investigation of an outbreak associated with total parenteral nutrition contaminated with NDM-producing Leclercia adecarboxylata. BMC Infectious Diseases (2021).