Enterobacter is a genus of Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the enterobacteriaceae family. Key species include enterobacter cloacae (the most clinically relevant) and E. hormaechei. Like other Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacter possesses iron-dependent siderophores and nickel-dependent NiFe-hydrogenases that provide competitive advantages during dysbiosis.
Key Associations
- NEC: Part of the Enterobacteriaceae bloom preceding necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants; nickel in preterm formula may fuel expansion [1].
- Formate metabolism: E. cloacae formate-dependent growth drives dysbiotic metabolic shifts in NEC [2].
- AMR: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter (CRE) is a critical AMR threat; metal resistance genes co-locate with carbapenem resistance [3].
- Graves' disease: E. hormaechei decreased by berberine supplementation alongside clinical improvement [4].
- CKD: Part of uremic toxin-producing Enterobacteriaceae enrichment.
Cross-References
- enterobacter cloacae — species page
- enterobacteriaceae — family context
- klebsiella — related genus; shared metal dependencies and AMR
- necrotizing enterocolitis — NEC pathogenesis
- nickel — NiFe-hydrogenase dependency
- co selection — metal-carbapenem co-resistance
- berberine — Enterobacter suppression in Graves'