Proteus /prō′tē·əs/ [Gk, Proteus, mythic god who changed shapes] , a genus of motile, gram-negative bacilli often associated with nosocomial infections, normally found in feces, water, and soil. Proteus may cause urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis, wound infections, diarrhea, bacteremia, and endotoxic shock. Some species are sensitive to penicillin; most respond to the aminoglycoside antibiotics and cephalosporins.
