Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Marine Bacterial Pathogens: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are one of the most common infection syndromes and may be caused by a large number of microorganisms. Some principles of aquatic injuries are different than those of land-based trauma. Wounds sustained in marine environment are exposed to a milieu of bacteria rarely encountered in different settings. These include Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Shewanella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Mycobacterium marinum, Streptococcus iniae, and other microbes. Failure to recognize and treat these uncommon pathogens in a timely manner may result in significant morbidity or death. These infections are frequently contracted as a result of recreational swimming, fishing injuries, or seafood handling. The spectrum of manifestations is wide, varying from cases of mild cellulitis, to severe life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis requiring radical surgery, to sepsis and death. This review will focus on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of SSTIs caused by the most important marine pathogens.

Human Infection with Shewanella putrefaciens and S. algae: Report of 16 Cases in Martinique and Review of the Literature

“…This spectrum is similar to those of infections involving other marine bacteria (Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp.). 56 This bacterium can be involved in neonatal infections as shown by a study in South Africa (respiratory distress with bacteremia) and one case in Martinique. 28 Serious infections and bacteremia are common.…”

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Mycobacterium marinum: New Insights into Host and Environmental Specificities

“…marinum is the etiologic agent of fish tuberculosis and of a granulomatous disease observed mainly in aquarists and professional fish breeders (3,4,8,9,12,16,19,20,31,34,37). However, little information is available on the organization of M. marinum genetic diversity relative to the host, environment, and clinical forms in humans.…”

“…M. marinum infection occurs in a variety of hosts, such as fish and amphibians, and occasionally in humans who have been exposed to contaminated fish and water. Human infections are generally limited to cutaneous lesions, referred to as "swimming pool granuloma" and "fish tank granuloma," according to where the infection was contracted (4,11,12,(19)(20)(21)33); however, in some cases, the infection can spread to deeper structures, resulting in tenosynovitis, arthritis, and osteomyelitis (2,5,6,10,14,15,18).…”

“…marinum is a known fish pathogen causing a chronic granulomatous disease that bears many similarities to mammalian mycobacterioses, including tuberculosis. The rapid development of fish farming and of the ornamental fish industry has similarly led to a worldwide increase in the number of reports of M. marinum infections in fish, with two major consequences: (i) a substantial financial loss for the two sectors concerned and (ii) an increased risk of contamination for people who handle fish (4,8,9,12,16,19,22,37).…”

Rapid Detection and Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pathogens in Fish by Using High-Resolution Melting Analysis

“…The rapid development of fish farming and of the ornamental fish trade has led to a worldwide increase in the number of reports of mycobacterial infections in fish, with two major consequences: (i) a substantial financial loss in the two above-mentioned industries and (ii) an increased risk of contamination for people who handle fish (15)(16)(17)(18). Therefore, early surveillance systems based on a rapid identification of fish pathogens are critical for effective disease control in aquaculture and for improved epidemiological surveys.…”