title: Human infection with Shewanella putrefaciens and S. algae: report of 16 cases in Martinique and review of the literature.
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%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Fort-de-France, Fort-de-France, Martinique. vigniernicolas@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vignier
authors.forename: Morgane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barreau
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olive
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baubion
authors.forename: Rafaelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Théodose
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hochedez
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cabié
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010031:Otitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D020592:Shewanella; D020614:Shewanella putrefaciens; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents