Infections associated with fish

From IDWiki

Soft Tissue Infections

Organism Micro Distribution Other Notes
Aeromonas Gram-negative bacillus Worldwide in warm fresh and brackish water Often following alligator, fish, snake, or freshwater leech bites. Can also cause hemorrhagic diarrhea
Chromobacterium violaceum Gram-negative bacillus with violet colonies Soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions Usually following laceration or bite with exposure to brackish or stagnant water
Edwardsiella tarda Gram-negative bacillus Causes emphysematous putrefactive disease of catfish
Shewanella Gram-negative bacillus Worldwide in temperate and tropical saltwater
Vibrio vulnificus Gram-negative bacillus Warm, low to moderate salinity water, particularly US Atlantic and Guld of Mexico Particularly associated with oysters. Causes gastroenteritis, bacteremia, and necrotizing soft tissue infections. More common in men.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Gram-positive bacillus often misidentified as Lactobacillus or Listeria Following injury during fish handling.
Mycobacterium marinum and other NTM Acid-fast bacillus Fresh and saltwater
Streptococcus iniae Gram-positive, beta-hemolytic coccus Freshwater, particularly associated with farm-raised fish

Further Reading

  • Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Following Marine Injuries and Exposures in Travelers. J Trav Med. 2014;21(3):207–213. doi: 10.1111/jtm.12115