A HUMAN INFECTION CAUSED BY AN ERWINIA SPECIES

A case is reported describing the repetitive isolation of an Erwinia species from an infected area of skin over the medial malleolus of a fractured ankle. The likely environmental source of this organism was the stockinette wrap used under the plaster cast. Bacteriologic immunologic aspects of the organisms involved are described. It is suggested that opportunistic human infection by members of the genus Erwinia may be encountered more readily than previously envisaged.