Abstract
Vibrio vulnificus, a worldwide virulent pathogen, is mainly found in warm coastal waters. The infections due to this pathogen occur in the hot summer season. Human infections are usually acquired through consumption of contaminated raw seafood or direct invasion through wounds by contaminated seawater or marine animals. The incubation period ranges from a few hours to days. The three main clinical presentations of Vibrio vulnificus were primary septicemia, soft tissue infection, and gastroenteritis. A life-threatening illness may develop in susceptible individuals, particularly patients with preexisting liver diseases or diabetes. Fifteen patients were diagnosed as having Vibrio vulnificus infection in our hospital since 1992, and one patient, a 42-year-old alcoholic male, presented with syndromes of shock and acute necrotizing fasciitis on left lower limb as the initial manifestation of Vibrio vulnificus infection. Incubation times may vary among individuals, and therefore careful history taking is very important for accurate differential diagnosis and treatment. The mortality of septicemia with Vibrio vulnificus necrotizing fasciitis is very high. If infection of V. vulnificus is strongly suspected, early diagnosis with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics and surgical excision of devitalized tissues are essential to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Published Version
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