Shewanella infections are uncommon in immunocompetent hosts. We report 6 cases of Shewanella algae infection in young, healthy Naval Special Warfare trainees in San Diego during 2 consecutive El Niño seasons, defining a unique population at risk and adding to the epidemiologic understanding of this potentially virulent organism.

BackgroundShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection may be complicated by the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Long-term sequelae of HUS are most often related to renovascular disease. Osteoarticular complications are rare. Avascular necrosis (AVN) has not been previously reported as a complication of STEC infection.MethodsWe report two cases of United States Marine Corps (USMC) recruits who developed AVN of the femoral head following STEC infection during a large outbreak.ResultsBetween October and November 2017, an STEC outbreak occurred at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD-SD) affecting over 250 USMC recruits. Case 1: A 19-year-old recruit developed nine days of non-bloody diarrhea. Stool culture, Shiga toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated E. coli O157. Complete blood count (CBC) was normal 5 days after symptom resolution. One month after resolution of his infection, he developed right hip pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed right femoral head AVN (Image 1). He was treated conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and physical therapy. Case 2: A 19-year-old recruit developed seven days of dysentery. Stool culture, Shiga toxin EIA and PCR demonstrated E. coli O157. He had a hemoglobin nadir of 8.0 g/dL and platelet nadir of 109 × 103/microL. Renal function was normal except for mild proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. One month after resolution of his infection, he developed non-traumatic left hip pain. MRI revealed left femoral head AVN with subchondral collapse (Image 2). He completed three months of bisphosphonate therapy prior to his left hip core decompression and sub-chondroplasty.ConclusionAVN of the hip is rare among healthy young adults and is not commonly observed in military recruits. We hypothesize that STEC-associated subclinical intravascular coagulopathy may cause microscopic occlusive disease. AVN should be considered in patients with new non-traumatic hip pain after known or suspected STEC infection.Image 1: Hypointense T1 signal sclerosis and collapse of the bone fragment with a peripheral rim of hypointense signal on MRI.Image 2: Hypointense T1 signal in superior left femoral head with subtle subchondral collapse on MRI.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Key Clinical MessageCentral nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis should be considered in patients from endemic nations with worsening neurological symptoms. If imaging reveals possible CNS tuberculomas, potentially life‐threatening lesions should be excised and analyzed. When disease is less severe, other tissues possibly infected should be biopsied first for diagnosis to avoid neurosurgery.

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