Cronobacter spp. (previously Enterobacter sakazakii) invade and translocate across both cultured human intestinal epithelial cells and human brain microvascular endothelial cells

► Cronobacter sakazakii is associated with mortality rates of 40-80% in human neonates. ► Twenty-three Cronobacter isolates from humans, animals, and the environment were studied. ► Cronobacter isolates exhibit a large variation in cultured human cell invasion ability. ► Cronobacter isolates invaded and trancytosed across human epithelial and endothelial cells. ► These findings suggest a pathogenic pathway for Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonates.