Human Infection with Shewanella putrefaciens and S. algae: Report of 16 Cases in Martinique and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Abstract. Shewanella spp. are saprophytic bacteria that are part of the marine microflora in warm climates and are rarely pathogenic. However, Shewanella spp. infections are being increasingly reported, and there has been no comprehensive review of the literature describing these infections. This article reports 16 cases of Shewanella spp. infections in Martinique since 1997 and reviews another 239 cases reported in the literature since 1973. Patients experienced soft tissue infections, ear infection, or abdominal and biliary tract infections. A skin or mucosal portal of entry was found for 53% of the patients and exposure to the marine environment was reported for 44%; 79% of patients had an underlying condition. Bacteriema were frequent (28%). Most (87%) patients recovered, although ear infections can become chronic. Death occurred in 13% of the patients. Most Shewanella spp. isolates are susceptible to cefotaxime (95%), piperacillin and tazobactam (98%), gentamicin (99%), and ciprofloxacin (94%).

Shewanella putrefaciens – a new opportunistic pathogen of freshwater fish

“…The most common disorders caused by S. putrefaciens are skin and tissue infection, bacteraemia, otitis, and abdominal or biliary tract infections. Less frequently, S. putrefaciens is associated with infections of the eyes, respiratory tract, bones, urinary tract, or heart (17,45). Pneumonia caused by these bacteria in premature babies has been also reported.…”

“…A significant impact of this bacterium on human health has also been noted, with a total of 260 health disorders described over the last 40 years, clearly indicating the potential hazard it poses (17,45).…”

“…Humans are usually infected through skin contact with water, especially when the former has wounds or ulcers (10). However, many infections have not been correlated with water and were reported in hospitalised patients (5,45).…”

“…Resistance of S. putrefaciens to antimicrobial agents depends on the source of isolates. In recent years, studies have been performed on sensitivity of different bacterial strains collected from freshwater (24,33,35,37) and marine fish (22), as well as shellfish (18) and also humans (45), against various chemotherapeutic agents. A common feature of all isolates is the sensitivity to quinolones (18,24,33,35,37,45).…”

“…In recent years, studies have been performed on sensitivity of different bacterial strains collected from freshwater (24,33,35,37) and marine fish (22), as well as shellfish (18) and also humans (45), against various chemotherapeutic agents. A common feature of all isolates is the sensitivity to quinolones (18,24,33,35,37,45). The majority of isolates showed sensitivity to tetracycline (20,24,33,37,45), although the isolates from marine fish were resistant to this group of antimicrobial substances (22).…”