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Shewanella algae

  • General information

    • the following information is not yet verified
      General information
      In the past, its effects have often been attributed wrongly to Shewanella putrefaciens.
      There has been a rising number of disease cases attributed to S. algae in the last decade, thanks to correct classification

      Taxonomy
      Family: Shewanellaceae / Formerly: Pseudomonas

      Natural habitat
      In the environment and in food products, does not belong to the normal flora of the human being.
      - S. algae occurs in the vicinity of salt water
      - S. putrefaciens isolated from fish, chicken, meat, fresh and saltwater.

      Clinical significance
      Clinical significance unknown.
      Shewanella algae is of interest because of its potential to be a serious human pathogen.
      It is known to cause peritonitis and obstructive pneumonia, ear infections, bacteraemia, rare occurrences of skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, and many others.

      S. algae is most commonly isolated in humans

      > 80% (Note errors) and is considered to be more virulent than S. putrefaciens

  • Gram stain

    • the following information is not yet verified
      Long, short or filamentous Gram-negative rods.

  • Culture characteristics

    • the following information is not yet verified

      Obligate Aerobic / halophilic

      Convex, smooth and sometimes mucoid colonies with yellow / brown-brown pigment and give a green discoloration of the bloodagar.

      - S. algae is always hemolytic (after 48-72 hours), it can be mucoid
      - S. putrefaciens, is usually not- haemolytic

      McConkey growth, non lactose fermenter and may be mucoid

      BBAØ no growth

      Warning
      As the two species seem to have different pathogenic potential for humans, correct identification is important

  • Characteristics

  • References

    • James Versalovic et al.(2011) Manual of Clinical Microbiology 10th Edition


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