Skin and Soft Tissue Infections due to Shewanella algae – An Emerging Pathogen
Introduction: Shewanella spp. are emerging human pathogens, the predominant species being Shewanella algae. Shewanella skin and soft tissue infections are more commonly seen in immunocompromised patients with a pre-existing cutaneous ulcer and most often associated with exposure to marine envir...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2015-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5585/12152_CE(NJ)_F(GH)_PF1(NJAK)_PFA(AK)_PF2(PAG).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Shewanella spp. are emerging human pathogens,
the predominant species being Shewanella algae. Shewanella
skin and soft tissue infections are more commonly seen in
immunocompromised patients with a pre-existing cutaneous
ulcer and most often associated with exposure to marine
environments.
Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological
and clinical characteristics of Shewanella skin and soft tissue
infections (SSTIs) for a period of five years.
Materials and Methods: All Gram-negative non-fermenting
motile isolates which produced pigmented colonies and positive
for oxidase and H2
S were further identified with Vitek 2 system.
Results: A total of 16 patients with SSTIs due to Shewanella
species were identified during the period from 2010 to 2014.
Majority of patients were urban, elderly and fisher men.
Shewanella algae (n=12, 75%) was the predominant isolate.
Skin or mucosal portal of entry was found in all patients and
seawater contact was recorded in 56.25% of the patients.
81% of infections were polymicrobial, common concomitant
pathogens being gut and marine flora. Peripheral vascular
diseases were the predominant risk factors with comorbidities
like diabetes, hypertension and hepatobiliary diseases. Third
generation cephalosporins, meropenem and gentamicin were
the most effective antibiotics while two of the isolates were
multidrug resistant. 75% of the infected patients recovered
completely and three patients died of complications.
Conclusion: Shewanella algae should be considered as an
emerging pathogen of SSTIs mainly in patients with chronic
ulcers and at times be multidrug resistant. These infections
have a good clinical outcome if prompt medical, surgical and
supportive treatment is offered. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |