Morganella morganii

Morganella morganii (previously known as Proteus morganii) is a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that belongs to the Morganellaceae family and Enterobacteria group.

Morganella morganii is not normally pathogenic, but can (rarely) become the causative agent of nosocomial infections and cause the following:

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Soft tissue infections

  • Respiratory infections

  • Meningitis

  • Sepsis

Morganella morganii is part of the healthy intestinal flora of humans and animals. The pathogen is also found in the soil and water.

Relevance of pathogen in transmission in endoscopy

  • Gastroenterology: Not relevant

  • Pulmonology: Low

  • Ear, nose, and throat: Not relevant

  • Urology: Low

Relevance for endoscope surveillance

  • High concern organism

Transmission route

The pathogen is transmitted endogenously and via direct or indirect contact with contaminated persons and objects.

Resistance to antibiotics

Morganella morganii belongs to the multi-resistant Gram-negative (MRGN) bacteria. The pathogen exhibits resistance to beta-lactams and polymyxins, among others. Morganella morganii is an ESBL (extended spectrum beta-lactamase)-forming pathogen.

Sources and further readings

  1. Cêtre JC et al. Outbreaks of contaminated broncho-alveolar lavage related to intrinsically defective bronchoscopes. J. Hosp. Infect. 2005; 61:39–45.

  2. Gries O, Ly T: Infektologie – Kompendium humanpathogener Infektionskrankheiten und Erreger, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2019.

  3. Hygienemaßnahmen bei Infektionen oder Besiedlung mit multiresistenten gramnegativen Stäbchen. Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention (KRINKO) beim Robert Koch-Institut (RKI). Bundesgesundheitsbl 10/2012.

  4. Lin TY et al. Clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of Morganella morganii bacteremia, Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2014, Aug 9.