Case Report: Shewanella algae, a rare cause of osteosynthesis-associated infection

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare infection caused by Shewanella algae in a young patient after a spinal fracture, likely spread through the bloodstream.

Contribution

The novelty lies in documenting a rare hematogenous osteosynthesis-associated infection caused by Shewanella algae.

Findings

The infection was likely caused by hematogenous spread rather than direct contamination.

Successful treatment involved surgical debridement and targeted antibiotic therapy.

No recurrence was observed after six months of follow-up.

Abstract

Shewanella is an emerging human pathogen. It mostly causes skin and soft tissue infections. Osteosynthesis-associated infection involving
Shewanella are rare and in most cases are secondary to direct contamination following open fractures in aquatic environments. Here, we present a rare case of hematogenous osteosynthesis-associated infection involving
Shewanella algae affecting an 18-year-old patient who was operated on for 12
th thoracic vertebrae and 4th lumbar vertebrae fractures occurring in an aquatic environment. We performed surgical debridement with subsequent double course parenteral antibiotherapy that was then adapted to bacteria sensitivities for three weeks. After a follow-up of six months, the patient had no signs of recurrent infection. The presence of infected dermabrasions and the concordance between germs isolated in operative samples and in blood cultures presumes that the contamination was hematogenous.

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