Gram Negative Coccobacilli

A coccobacillus is a type of bacterium with a shape intermediate between cocci and bacilli i.e., they are very short rods which may be mistaken for cocci. These small, pleomorphic gram-negative bacteria range in shape from round (cocci) to short, thin rods (bacilli); hence the bacteria are called “coccobacilli.”

1. Haemophilus species: 
   Infections must commonly associated with encapsulated stains of Haemophilus influenzae includes meningitis, epiglottitis, cellulitis with bacteremia, septic arthritis, ad pneumonia.  Non capsulated strains usually cause localized infections such as otitis media, sinusitis, conjunctivitis.. Haemophilus ducreyi causes sexually transmitted infections chancroid, a major cause of genital ulceration in developing countries characterized by painful sores on the genitalia.
2. Acinetobacter species: Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units (ICUs) and healthcare settings housing very ill patients. Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for about 80% of reported infections.  Acinetobacter causes a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections, and the symptoms vary depending on the disease. Acinetobacter may also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy sites or open wounds.
3. Kingella species: Kingella kingae is a species of Gram-negative aerobic coccobacilli. Kingella kingae is recognized increasingly as a cause of skeletal infections (Osteomyelitis/Septic Arthritis ) in children .
4. Francisella species: Francisella is an intracellular, facultative, gram-negative coccobacillus. Francisella  tularensis is the agent of human and animal tularemia.