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Volume 9, Number 2—February 2003
Dispatch

Photorhabdus Species: Bioluminescent Bacteria as Human Pathogens?

John G. Gerrard*Comments to Author , Samantha McNevin†, David Alfredson*, Ross Forgan-Smith†, and Neil Fraser‡
Author affiliations: *Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia; †Queensland Medical Laboratory, West End, Queensland, Australia; ‡Harbour City Family Practice, Gladstone, Queensland, Australia

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Table 2

Published human cases of Photorhabdus infection

Case
no. Year Country Location Age/sex Clinical Alleged vector Source of isolate
1 2001 Australia Gladstone, Queensland 39M Soft tissue infection right ankle
(professional pest controller)   Pus from ankle ulcer
2 1999 Australia Gold Coast, Queensland 78M Soft tissue infection right foot   Pus and tissue from right foot
3 (1) 1998 Australia Murwil-lumbah, New South Wales 55M Multifocal soft tissue infections (upper and lower limbs, abdomen), pneumonia   Blood, sputum, pus and tissue
4 (1) 1998 Australia Wangaratta, Victoria 50M Multifocal soft tissue infections (upper and lower limbs) Spider Pus from soft tissue abscesses
5 (1) 1998 Australia Melbourne, Victoria 90M Cough and fever   Blood
6 (1) 1994 Australia Melbourne, Victoria 11F Multifocal soft tissue infections (lower limbs and chest)   Pus and soft tissue biopsies
7 (6) 1989 USA San Antonio, Texas   Groin infection   Groin
8 (6) 1987 USA San Antonio, Texas 45M Multifocal soft tissue infection, left lower limb Spider Pus from lower limb abscess
9 (6) 1986 USA San Antonio, Texas 78M Multifocal soft tissue infection left lower limb   Pus from lower limb abscess and ulcer
10 (6) 1984 USA San Antonio, Texas 36F Disseminated bacterial infection   Submandible, abdomen
11 (6) 1979 USA Pennsyl
vania 72F     Blood, skin
12 (6) 1977 USA Maryland 80F Endocarditis   Blood
 

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References
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Page created: December 07, 2010
Page updated: December 07, 2010
Page reviewed: December 07, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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