Shewanella putrefaciens, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Shewanella putrefaciens (formerly known as Achromobacter putrefaciens or Pseudomonas putrefaciens) is a Gram-negative, biofilm producing bacterium. It is also a facultative anaerobe, whereby it can undergo aerobic respiration when oxygen is present, and can reduce iron and manganese metabolically. It has been found in freshwater, brackish, and salt water ecosystems and occur in biofouling environments. S. putrefaciens is often associated with marine biofouling and has a odour of rotten fish due to its production of trimethylamines and hydrogen sulphide. It plays a major role in food spoilage in marine fish and may cause microbe induced corrosion on steel surfaces. Shewanella putrefaciens can be a human pathogen and can produce clinical diseases including bacteraemia and various soft tissue and intra-abdominal infections. Magnification: x4,000 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.