Palmar Soft Tissue Infection From Shewanella putrefaciens

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Case Reports

Background:

• Shewanella putrefaciens is a gram-negative bacillus commonly found in marine environments.
• It is an opportunistic pathogen causing rare human infections, typically in immunocompromised individuals or those with soft tissue defects.

Observation:

• A case of a 40-year-old immunocompetent woman with a soft tissue infection of the left palm is presented.
• The infection was caused by Shewanella putrefaciens and complicated by retained seashell fragments from a traumatic injury.

Findings:

• The patient underwent appropriate evaluation and surgical treatment for the infection.
• A successful outcome was achieved with no recurrence of infection or functional deficit in the hand.

Implications:

• This case report expands the understanding of Shewanella putrefaciens morbidity in humans.
• It underscores the importance of considering environmental bacteria in soft tissue infections, even in immunocompetent hosts.