A 37-week-old infant was delivered by cesarean section and discharged from a Connecticut hospital when he was 10 days old. Two days later he was lethargic and had a fever. When he was readmitted to the hospital, he had multiple brain abscesses caused by Citrobacter diversus. After a prolonged illness, the baby died. A second infant with a normal pregnancy and delivery died of C. diversus meningitis after a short illness. Nine infants in the hospital nursery had umbilical cord colonization by C. diversus. Environmental cultures were negative for hospital equipment.a. What is the normal habitat of this gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-endospore-forming, lactose-positive rod? b.Provide a plan for identifying the source of infection and preventing further infection.
Thanks for your query at Chat Doctor! Sorry for the loss. C. divers us is an Enterobacteriaceae group bacteria which is found in soil, water and waste water, part of intestines, etc. It commonly does not cause infection in immunocompetent individuals. But neonates can sometimes get infected. I suggest get the high vaginal and stool of mother tested for ACTED/routine bacterial culture aerobic and anaerobic. Then based on sensitivity the treatment must be started with Chat Doctor.  The swabs must be taken from infants as well and sent for above tests. The phoenix automated system can also be used for this situation to test panel of 