Microbiology
A gram-negative rod. Includes Shewanella haliotis, S. algae, S. putrefaciens and many others.
Epidemiologic Risks
Found in warm salt water. First found in butter in the 1930's. It is part of fish skin microbiome. Or scales. Causes fish to spoil and not so good to humans. Also found in sewage.
Shewanella haliotis (not halitosis, nothing to do with bad breath), is from the gut microflora of abalones.
Syndromes
Mostly soft tissue infections (PubMed) including a case of Fournier’s gangrene in a patient with no seawater exposure. Occur in immunocompromised patients with a preexisting cutaneous ulcer after or seawater exposure.
There is also a case of marine trauma leading to bacteremia and meningitis (PubMed).
Treatment
Ciprofloxacin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftriaxone, or meropenem, although limited clinical experience (PubMed).
Notes
It is one of the infections increasing with global warming.
It is an extremeophile, found at low temperatures and high pressures.
Curious Cases
Relevant links to my Medscape blog
Last Update: 04/11/18.