Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
04:56
Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella
Published on: February 9, 2024
Human soft tissue infection by the emerging pathogen Shewanella algae.
Renu Goyal1, Narinder Kaur, Rajeev Thakur
1Department of Microbiology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110095, India. renugoyal_123@yahoo.co.in
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|May 4, 2011
Summary
Shewanella infections can cause non-healing ulcers, even in healthy individuals. Prompt surgical debridement and antibiotics are crucial for treating this emerging pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Shewanella species are known aquatic bacteria.
- Soft tissue infections typically affect immunocompromised individuals with existing wounds after environmental exposure.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old male presented with a persistent, non-healing leg ulcer.
- The patient lacked typical predisposing factors for Shewanella infection.
Findings:
- Repeated cultures confirmed Shewanella as the causative agent of the leg ulcer.
- The patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery after surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights Shewanella as a potential pathogen in immunocompetent individuals.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential for managing Shewanella soft tissue infections.
- Increased awareness of this emerging pathogen is necessary for clinicians.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:19Other Algae
The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
01:21Green Algae
Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...