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For several months, a “flesh-eating” bacteria has been causing a series of infections in Japan. In France, a bacteria with the same nickname has been detected on frozen products. What do we know about it?
Two alerts issued a few days apart in two different countries… “Flesh-eating” bacteria are causing concern among health authorities not only in France but also in Japan. Tokyo has been concerned for several months about the proliferation of a group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, which causes severe, sometimes fatal, infections. In France, another “flesh-eating” bacteria is attracting the attention of health authorities: “vibrio vulnificus” has been detected on frozen products sold in supermarkets, leading to numerous recalls on shelves. Although the two bacteria have the same nickname of “flesh-eating”, they are nevertheless very distinct.
“Vibrio vulnificus”, on seafood
According to the site Consumption reminder, which launched a recall concerning several frozen seafood products this Monday, June 24, an infection with bacteria such as “Vibrio vulnificus” can cause “mild gastrointestinal disorders in healthy individuals” but also ” severe non-intestinal disorders (generalized infection/sepsis) in susceptible people or those with pre-existing chronic conditions. The public site indicates that the bacteria can cause “skin infections” which “are likely to occur from pre-existing injuries when handling products.” Hence its nickname “flesh-eating bacteria”.
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“Vibrio vulnificus” develops primarily “in salty or brackish water”, in rather warm temperatures, around 20°C, explains Olivier Bouchaud, infectious disease specialist, to our colleagues at-.fr. This organism belongs to the same family as the bacteria linked to cholera: it is found among other things on fish and shrimp farms and, as a general rule, on seafood. “We often see it in oyster farms, continues Olivier Bouchaud. In France, it is oysters which are the main vectors of the bacteria. The bacteria can also be spread by bathing or washing in contaminated water.
Group A Streptococcus, another mode of transmission
On the other hand, group A streptococcus (GAS) – detected in Japan – is responsible for “benign infections (tonsillitis, impetigo) but can also be responsible for invasive infections that are sometimes fatal (toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis)”, reports the Pasteur Institute. This bacteria is generally transmitted through droplets linked to breathing or by direct contact. This streptococcus is called carnivorous because it causes necrosis of a band of tissue that surrounds the muscles of patients. By entering the bloodstream, this bacteria causes dysfunctions in the organs.
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It is also the third most “deadly bacteria in the world after the Koch bacillus (which causes tuberculosis) and the pneumococcus (responsible for pneumonia)”, explains Professor Antoine Flahault, professor of public health and epidemiologist to director. from the Geneva Institute of Global Health, with our colleagues from-.fr. Untreated, this bacteria can cause scarlet fever in children. In France, it is the cause of several dozen deaths each year.
