A rare cause of wound infection after an open fracture: Shewanella putrefaciens

Abstract

An elderly gentleman presented with an open fracture of the calcaneum and ankle, following a boating accident. Despite treatment with repeated surgical debridement, delayed closure, prolonged antibiotics and strict adherence to national guidelines on the management of open fractures, he developed a wound infection with a rare organism, Shewanella putrefaciens, that appears to be increasing in prevalence. Copyright 2013 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.