Epidemiology and clinical features of Shewanella infection over an eight-year period

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases Vol. 42; no. 10; pp. 757 - 762
• Main Authors: To, Kelvin K. W., Wong, Samson S. Y., Cheng, Vincent C. C., Tang, Bone S. F., Li, Iris W. S., Chan, Jasper F. W., Seto, Wai-Kay, Tse, Herman, Yuen, Kwok-Yung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Informa Healthcare 01-10-2010; Taylor & Francis; Informa
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - epidemiology; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - mortality; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - physiopathology; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Shewanella - classification; Shewanella - drug effects; Shewanella - isolation & purification; Shewanella - pathogenicity; Hong Kong; Infection; Symptomatology; Microbiology; Bacteria; Vibrionaceae; Shewanella; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0036-5548; 1651-1980
• DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2010.490562

Abstract
Shewanella is a rare human pathogen that can lead to fatal infections. However, clinical information about this bacterium remains scarce. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with laboratory isolates of Shewanella over an 8-y period to assess risk factors, clinical manifestations and outcome. Twenty-nine patients were identified. Shewanella was most commonly isolated from intra-abdominal specimens (48.2%), followed by skin and soft tissue specimens (27.6%), blood (13.8%) and sputum (10.3%). Malignancy, hepatobiliary disease and diabetes mellitus were common underlying diseases. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 20.6%. Shewanella was considered a definite causative pathogen in 7 patients, and a recurrent infection occurred in 2 patients. Colonization of the biliary tract was common. Among co-isolated pathogens, the enteric flora was most represented. All isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and aminoglycosides, but 1 isolate was resistant to imipenem. In conclusion, Shewanella may become a colonizing bacterium, subsequently causing invasive diseases in patients with an underlying disease.