Human soft tissue infection by the emerging pathogen Shewanella algae

Abstract

Shewanella soft tissue infections usually occur in immunocompromised patients with a preexisting cutaneous ulcer, mostly after exposure to a marine environment or contaminated water. A 35-year-old male presented with a non-healing ulcer over the distal end of his right leg but had no predisposing factors. Cultures of exudates from the wound grew Shewanella on repeated occasions. Recovery was uneventful following surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy. Early suspicion, diagnosis, and treatment with potent antibiotics are needed to prevent any further complications resulting from infection by this emerging pathogen.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections due to Shewanella algae – An Emerging Pathogen

“…In present literature, S.algae was a predominant isolate (75%) similar to reports (74%) of earlier investigations [3,18]. An intriguing finding in our study is S.algae was the only species isolated since 2013, thus contributing to 50% of the Shewanella SSTIs.…”

Travel‐Related Chronic Hemorrhagic Leg Ulcer Infection by Shewanella algae

“…In skin infections, hemorrhagic bullae are characteristic, as seen here. 1,4,5 Cutaneous infections with Vibrio vulnificus and Aeromonas hydrophila, other seawater-associated bacterial pathogens, closely resemble the clinical picture. 4 In temperate regions, S algae can be found during the summer months in seawater as well.…”

“…1 Most reported infections occur in countries with warm climates and result from contact of contaminated water with disintegrated skin. 2,3 The clinical disease spectrum ranges from skin and soft tissue infections after breaches of the dermis, such as ulcers or following trauma, 2,4,5 to septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, and pericarditis.…”

Genome analysis of a clinical isolate of Shewanella sp. uncovered an active hybrid integrative and conjugative element carrying an integron platform inserted in a novel genomic locus

“…biliary tract infections, empyema, endocarditis, dacryocystitis, intracranial abscess, arthritis, peritonitis, ventilator-associated pneumonia and ear infections (Ananth et al, 2014;Constant et al, 2014;Dey et al, 2015;Goyal et al, 2011;Holt et al, 2005;Sharma & Kalawat, 2010;Yiallouros et al, 2013). Shewanella spp.…”