Abstract
Cutaneous Injury and<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>Infection
Highlights
Compared with patients with predisposing medical conditions, patients with a history of good health had a higher proportion of necrotizing fasciitis (70% vs 47%, p = 0.12), a lower proportion of septicemia (14% vs. 27%, p = 0.26), and an equal number of severe cases of cellulitis (7% vs. 7%)
Ten (83%) of the 12 previously healthy patients with necrotizing fasciitis and septicemia reported a history of cutaneous injury
Our study found that a considerable proportion of V. vulnificus infections in Hong Kong occur among healthy persons
Summary
To the Editor: Vibrio vulnificus infection is transmitted by eating contaminated seafood or by exposure to seawater through an open wound [1]. Among the 14 previously healthy patients, the consequences of V. vulnificus infection included necrotizing fasciitis (70%), severe cellulitis (7%), primary septicemia (14%), and gastroenteritis (7%). Compared with patients with predisposing medical conditions, patients with a history of good health had a higher (but not significant) proportion of necrotizing fasciitis (70% vs 47%, p = 0.12), a lower proportion of septicemia (14% vs 27%, p = 0.26), and an equal number of severe cases of cellulitis (7% vs 7%). Ten (83%) of the 12 previously healthy patients with necrotizing fasciitis and septicemia reported a history of cutaneous injury. Severe forms of the infection, such as necrotizing fasciitis and septicemia, are relatively common among healthy persons, they may cause fewer deaths than they do among persons with predisposing medical conditions. Chuang,* Thomas Tsang,* Lai Wai-man,† Raymond Yung,‡ and Janice Lo‡ for the Collaborative Study Group on Vibrio vulnificus Infection in
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