Korean J Med.  2012 Jun;82(6):671-679.

Vibrio Vulnificus Sepsis

• Kim DM
• Hong SJ

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) is a halophilic motile, gram-negative rod which can cause fatal human infections. The spectrum of illness caused by V. vulnificus is gastroenteritis, primary sepsis, and wound infection. Most of patients infected with V. vulnificus have at least one risk factor such as chronic liver diseases, immunocompromiased hosts, hematologic disorders characterized by elevated iron level. V. vulnificus infection is suspected by clinical and epidemiological history. Radiological studies of affected lesions are helpful to diagnosis of necrotizing soft tissue infection. The definitive diagnosis is made by the isolation of V. vulnificus from blood and wound cultures. The mortality of V. vulnificus primary sepsis is above 50%, so early diagnosis, early surgical debridement and administration of appropriate antibiotics is essential.

Keyword

Vibrio vulnificus; Sepsis; Antibiotics

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Debridement
Early Diagnosis
Gastroenteritis
Humans
Iron
Liver Diseases
Risk Factors
Sepsis
Soft Tissue Infections
Vibrio
Vibrio vulnificus
Wound Infection
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Iron