Paenibacillus

Background

Microbiology

• Genus of Gram-positive bacilli
• Closely related to Bacillus (the Latin name means "almost Bacillus")
• The more common species that have been isolated from humans include:
  • Paenibacillus phoenicis
  • Paenibacillus lautus
• Many other species are also occasionally isolated

Clinical Manifestations

• Common cause of blood culture contamination
• However, can be a true pathogen

Management

• Almost all resistant to ampicillin
• Often resistant to co-trimoxazole
• Can be resistant to vancomycin
• Generally susceptible to erythromycin and rifampin