Rapidly advancing necrotizing fasciitis caused by Photobacterium (Vibrio) damsela: A hyperaggressive variant

[Emily]

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2004/01000/Rapidly_advancing_necrotizing_fasciitis_caused_by.41.aspx

Critical Care Medicine:
January 2004 - Volume 32 - Issue 1 - pp 278-281
doi: 10.1097/01.CCM.0000104920.01254.82
Case Report
Rapidly advancing necrotizing fasciitis caused by Photobacterium (Vibrio) damsela: A hyperaggressive variant
Goodell, Kristen H. MD; Jordan, Michael R. MD, MPH; Graham, Roger MD; Cassidy, Charles MD; Nasraway, Stanley A. MD, FCCM

Abstract

Objective: To describe the first case of Vibrio damsela necrotizing fasciitis in New England, emphasizing the importance of very early operative intervention to achieve source control in this extremely aggressive infection.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Surgical intensive care unit at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Patient: A 69-yr-old retired fisherman with rapidly progressive necrotizing fasciitis from Photobacterium (Vibrio) damsela infection and ensuing multiple-system organ failure.

Interventions: Surgical debridement, ventilator support, vasopressors, continuous veno-venous hemofiltration, and blood product transfusions.

Measurements and Main Results: Death.

Conclusions: A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis of this specific pathogen and concordant infection. The willingness to surgically debride and amputate without hesitation at a very early point may be the only intervention capable of saving the lives of patients affected by Photobacterium (Vibrio) damsela.

? 2004 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

http://www.joss.ucar.edu/vibrios_2010/abstracts/nonhuman_disease/lemos.pdf
The two subspecies of Photobacterium damselae express virulence factors that are encoded by mobile DNA elements C.R. Osorio, A.J. Rivas, M. Balado, A. Rodr?guez-Blanco, B. Puentes, and M.L. Lemos* Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
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Conclusions
In summary, both subspecies of P. damselae express a number of different virulence factors that are encoded by mobile DNA elements. We have demonstrated that some of these elements can be horizontally transmitted to other bacteria by conjugation. Our results indicate that both bacteria have genomes with a great plasticity and suggest that some of their more
relevant pathogenic characteristics could have being acquired by horizontal gene transfer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16159364

J Fish Dis. 2005 Aug;28(8):463-71.
Detection of quinolone-resistance genes in Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida strains by targeting-induced local lesions in genomes.
Kim MJ, Hirono I, Aoki T.
Source

Laboratory of Genome Science, Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract

Quinolone-resistant strains of the fish-pathogenic bacterium, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida are distributed widely in cultured yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (Temminck & Schlegel), in Japan....

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110524/NEWS01/110524039/NOAA-confirms-sick-fish-Gulf?odyssey=nav|head

NOAA confirms sick fish in Gulf
8:20 PM, May. 24, 2011

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is standing by its declaration that the Gulf of Mexico seafood is safe to eat, but for the first time it?s warning anglers that some fish are sick and may pose health problems if handled or eaten raw.

The agency is telling anglers to toss fish that have lesions, fin rot or discolored skin back into the Gulf and to be careful about handling them.

This warning comes just one week before the June 1 opening of recreational red snapper season.

[snip]

A week ago, LSU scientists determined that lesions on red snapper found within 20 miles of Orange Beach, Ala., were infected with two bacteria common in the Gulf environment ? Vibrio vulnificus and Photobacterium damselae.

Cowan said Photobacterium damselae could be responsible for a massive fish loss and can pose serious health problems for humans under certain situations.

The bacteria can enter the human body through cuts during handling of diseased fish and if consumed raw.....