Cronobacter sakazakii, Gram-negative, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Cronobacter sakazakii, Gram-negative, non-spore forming, rod prokaryote (bacterium). Cronobacter sakazakii belongs to the group Gamma Proteobacteria and it can be found in many environments, from soil to human tissues. For many years it was classified as Enterobacter sakazakii (also known as Enterobacter cloacae), but recent molecular typing has shown there are in fact four species, one genomospecies and two subspecies which have been placed in a new genus (Cronobacter) within the family Enterobacteriaceae. Cronobacter sakazakii has been linked to incidence of infant meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis, most likely caused by post-process contamination of milk-based infant formulas. It can also cause bloodstream and central nervous system infections with associated seizures, brain abscess and hydrocephalus. Magnification: x4,800 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.