Serious infection with carnivorous bacteria - patient died after eating oysters

Consuming raw oysters Cause of a deadly infection?

In the US, a woman has apparently contracted a deadly infection with carnivorous bacteria while consuming raw oysters. The Vibrionen led within a few weeks to the death of the patient. Infections with the dangerous pathogens can occur via the consumption of contaminated food (usually raw seafood) or, for example, when bathing in seawater, when the bacteria enter the water with the wounds.

After buying and eating a bag of fresh oysters on a seafood market in Louisiana in September, Jeanette LeBlanc developed extreme breathlessness and a rash on her legs the next day, according to US news broadcaster CBS News. LeBlanc was immediately admitted to the hospital in Baton Rouge, where she was diagnosed with an infection with vibrion. However, despite antibiotic therapy, the patient did not recover and eventually died of the infection with the carnivorous bacteria three weeks later.

Extremely aggressive pathogens

The deceased's life partner told the local local radio station "1080 KRLD News Radio" that doctors were trying to stabilize the patient's condition for almost 36 hours. "But the bacteria are so aggressive that they destroy the kidneys and they had to start dialysis," the bereaved continues. After two weeks, the first of three operations to remove the dead tissue was done, then the second and finally the third. After the last LeBlanc never recovered. She died on October 15th.

Threatening Complications of Vibrion Infections

In most cases, vibrios cause diarrhea when ingested orally. However, there are threats of complications that can be fatal in the worst case, such as sepsis. Particularly immunocompromised patients are at risk here. If the bacteria in open wounds can also cause severe wound infections and septicemia, warns the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The infection usually occurs through the contact of open wounds with water containing pathogens (for example when wading or bathing) or when processing raw fish and seafood. Both apply to the deceased US-American.

Propagation in marine bathing waters

According to the RKI, the occurrence of vibrios in marine bathing waters depends on the salinity (salinity) and a high water temperature (increasing risk above 20 ° C). "These conditions can also be fulfilled in Germany in warm summers and lead to a strong increase of the pathogens, especially in the less saline estuaries, fjords and Bodden waters of the North and Baltic Seas," warns the RKI. In the United States, the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the number of annual Vibrions infections at about 80,000 diseases, most of which is a kind of food poisoning and those recover after a while.

Immune-compromised persons particularly at risk

For immunocompromised or otherwise susceptible people, a Vibrion infection can quickly become dangerous. For example, according to "CBS News," Jeanette LeBlanc had a gastric bypass that affected her digestion. That made her especially susceptible to the pathogens. Whether these were actually taken over the eaten oysters or came through open wounds in the body remains rather secondary. Both possible infection routes should be aware of the people and when appropriate symptoms, after eating seafood or swimming in the sea, seek medical advice immediately. (Fp)