![]()
   
  Family 
  Enterobacteriaceae 
  Proteus 
  mirabilis major agent in human infection of urinary tract 
  Abundant 
  production of urease 
Urease splits urea (CO(NH2)2) into carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3)
Ammonia raises the pH of urine and causes the formation of kidney stones (renal stones; renal calculus) which can be extremely painful
  Wound 
  infections, pneumonia, septicemia
  Found 
  in soil, water, sewage, decomposing matter and human intestinal tract
  Hypermotile 
  with cultures demonstrating a swarming phenomena on agar media 
  
  Hydrogen sulfide production
  
  O, H, K antigens: grouping on basis of these antigens for epidemiologic studies 
  have not been correlative 
  Share 
  antigens with the intracellular pathogen Rickettsia
  Treatment: 
  ampicillin and cephalosporins, but resistant strains can develop
   
  
  
     Go to Pathogen List| Lecture Syllabus | General Course Information | Grade Determination | 
| Laboratory Syllabus | Interesting WebSite Links | Lab Safety |