Atypical Necrotizing Cellulitis: Shewanella algae, an emerging pathogen
Speaker Credentials
OMS-III
College
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Medical Specialty
Infectious Disease
Format
Presentation
Start Date
November 2024
End Date
November 2024
Track
2
Abstract
Shewanella algae is considered an emerging novel pathogenic cause of severe skin infections. The organism is a gram-negative motile bacillus commonly found in marine environments. While the more common causes of skin and soft tissue infections include Staphylococcus aureus, Beta-hemolytic Streptococci, and/or Vibrio vulnificus, Shewanella algae have also been isolated in rare cases. Notably, this organism is more likely to cause infection in patients with open wounds and is commonly seen in patients with underlying Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease. In this case, our patient is a 71-year-old male who developed severe necrotizing cellulitis infection of the left lower limb complicated by bacteremia. The patient was immediately started on empiric treatment with intravenous antibiotics until Shewanella algae was identified; thereafter, the antibiotic treatment was adjusted accordingly. During the course of hospitalization, the patient required serial surgical debridement procedures to achieve source control. The purpose of the case report is to increase awareness among healthcare professionals on how Shewanella algae infections are contracted, the clinical presentation and effects this microbe has on patients with chronic comorbidities, along with the antibiotic treatment, as no guidelines have been established thus far.
Atypical Necrotizing Cellulitis: Shewanella algae, an emerging pathogen
Shewanella algae is considered an emerging novel pathogenic cause of severe skin infections. The organism is a gram-negative motile bacillus commonly found in marine environments. While the more common causes of skin and soft tissue infections include Staphylococcus aureus, Beta-hemolytic Streptococci, and/or Vibrio vulnificus, Shewanella algae have also been isolated in rare cases. Notably, this organism is more likely to cause infection in patients with open wounds and is commonly seen in patients with underlying Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease. In this case, our patient is a 71-year-old male who developed severe necrotizing cellulitis infection of the left lower limb complicated by bacteremia. The patient was immediately started on empiric treatment with intravenous antibiotics until Shewanella algae was identified; thereafter, the antibiotic treatment was adjusted accordingly. During the course of hospitalization, the patient required serial surgical debridement procedures to achieve source control. The purpose of the case report is to increase awareness among healthcare professionals on how Shewanella algae infections are contracted, the clinical presentation and effects this microbe has on patients with chronic comorbidities, along with the antibiotic treatment, as no guidelines have been established thus far.