Human infections with Shewanella in central Taiwan

• Main Authors: Po-Yu Liu, 劉伯瑜
• Other Authors: 董光中
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/12862983153961865938

博士 === 國立中興大學 === 獸醫學系暨研究所 === 102 === Shewanella infection is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Little is known about the special features of Shewanella infections in Taiwan. This study aims to characterize the presentations and risk factors of human infections with Shewanella in central Taiwan. This study identified two distinc Shewanella infection syndromes. The first is bacteremia. In most patients, the infections involve hepatobiliary system, with a tendency towards Asian origin. The majority of patients developed bacteremia in the summer season, lived in the coastal area, and consumed seafood regularly. We also found Shewanella haliotis as a human pathogen within the Shewanella genus. The other clinical syndrome is complicated wound infections after cobra bites, especially in moderate to severe local envenomation. Shewanella isolates are charactericstically susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides and quinolones but resistant to penicillin and cefazolin. We recommended that Shewanella should be considered in bacteremia that occurs in patients with underlying hepatobiliary diseases, particularly if patients report seafood consumption history, present with hepatobiliary infections, or during summer time. Also, Shewanella complicated wound infection should be considered in cobra bite patients, especially when patients present with moderate to severe local envenomation.