Kingella
| name | Kingella spp. |
|---|---|
| |
| family | Neisseriaceae |
| genus | Kingella |
| morphology | G− pleomorphic rod |
| relation to oxygen | aerobe |
| cultivation | blood agar, chocolate agar |
| occurrence | commensal organism of the urogenital system and respiratory tract |
| disease | osteomyelitis, endocarditis, bacteremia, respiratory tract inflammation... |
| therapy | most commonly used ATBs |
The genus Kingella is a member of the family Neisseriaceae. Three species belong in this genus: Kingella kingae, Kingella denitrificans, Kingella oralis.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Immobile, 'gram-negative' , aerobic, non-fermenting, pleomorphic (coccobacillary to fibrous forms). It is sensitive to growth conditions and requires enriched culture media (blood agar, chocolate agar). It mimics the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but is catalase negative.
It forms part of the normal flora of the urogenital system and respiratory tract.
Kingella kingae[edit | edit source]
Is identified as an infectious agent especially in young children. It can cause osteomyelitis, bacteremia, endocarditis, and less often causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and meningitis. It forms part of the commensal pharynx flora, from where it can spread to the surrounding area. This occurs mainly in children (kindergartens, etc.).
The course of the disease is mild. Complications have been reported only in endocarditis, risk of embolization, valvular insufficiency, congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and in severe cases may result in death. A complicated course has been described mostly in the late identification of the etiological agent.
Kingella denitrificans, Kingella oralis[edit | edit source]
Other species rarely cause endocarditis and eye infections. Kingella oralis belongs to the bacteria in dental plaque.
Links[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- Kingella kingae (English wikipedia)
- Vladimír PLESNÍK: Kingella kingae (podle The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Vol 4 June 2004, s. 358-67)
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- VOTAVA, Miroslav, et al. Lékařská mikrobiologie speciální. 1. edition. Brno : Neptun, 2003. pp. 495. ISBN 80-902896-6-5.
