These four cases illustrate the wide range of clinical presentations associated with this organism. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Aspiration

  The organism was subsequently identified in a synovial fluid aspirate. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The diagnosis is usually confirmed when organisms are isolated by means of routine blood culture or aspiration of material from bullous skin lesions. [academic.oup.com]

• Productive Cough

  The fourth case is that of a 32-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus-positive, hepatitis C-positive woman with cirrhosis who presented with productive cough, chills, fever, and red spots on her extremities and buttocks. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Abdominal Pain

  Among healthy people, ingestion of V. vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. [aol.com]

  A healthy man presented with severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever followed by development of multiple blisters, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limbs, who progressed rapidly to fulminant sepsis caused by this organism. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Necrotizing wound infections can occur in injured skin exposed to contaminated marine water. [en.wikipedia.org]

  In people with an intact immune system, the infection can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The infection can be much more serious in those whose immune function is compromised. [medicinenet.com]

• Severe Abdominal Pain

  A healthy man presented with severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever followed by development of multiple blisters, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limbs, who progressed rapidly to fulminant sepsis caused by this organism. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Heel Pain

  A case of alcoholic liver cirrhosis developed acute left heel pain and swelling 2 days after ingesting raw fish. Two sets of blood cultures indicated V. vulnificus. HLA-B27 was negative. Ultrasonography revealed left Achilles tendinitis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Photophobia

  The second case was that of a 43-year-old Asian man employed as an oyster shucker who presented with complaints of redness, tearing, and photophobia of the right eye. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae

  rhusiopathiae, and Aeromnonas hydrophila. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• HLA-B27

  HLA-B27 was negative. Ultrasonography revealed left Achilles tendinitis. Fluid aspirated from the left retrocalcaneal bursa was sterile. The patient recovered completely 3 weeks after treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Prompt initiation of antibiotic treatment, especially before the onset of septic shock, provides the best outcomes. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

To improve the likelihood of patient survival, an early prognosis of patient outcome is clinically important for emergency/trauma department doctors. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Once a bloodstream infection occurs, the prognosis is grim: About 50 percent of V. vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal, according to the Florida Department of Health. [yahoo.com]

There is also a worse prognosis with diabetes or immunosuppression. Mortality for primary V. vulnificus septicemia is greater than 50%. [logicalimages.com]

Vibrio vulnificus, the etiologic pathogen of the compartment syndrome, was isolated from wound and blood cultures. The patient was treated with systemic antibiotic treatment and multiple forearm fasciotomies. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] of diseases in human communities. 2. the field of medicine concerned with the determination of the specific causes of localized outbreaks of infection, such as hepatitis, of toxic disorders, such as lead poisoning, or any other disease of recognized etiology [vdh.virginia.gov]

To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare organism that surfaced following Huricane Katrina and caused serious problems for many victims. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Genaidy AM, Lemasters GK, Lockey J, et al An epidemiological appraisal instrument: a tool for evaluation of epidemiological studies. Ergonomics 2007; 50:920–960. 14. Newcombe RG. [journals.lww.com]

Bulletin Archive Contact Us Laurie Forlano, DO, MPH, State Epidemiologist Director, Office of Epidemiology 109 Governor Street, 6th Floor East Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: (804) 864-8141 Fax: (804) 864-8139 Contact Us by Email [vdh.virginia.gov]

Study Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of Vibrio vulnificus infections. Design: Case series based on notifiable disease report forms and patient medical records. [annals.org]

To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare organism that surfaced following Huricane Katrina and caused serious problems for many victims. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Pathophysiology V vulnificus infects the body in 2 ways, either by exposure to contaminated seafood, such as raw oysters, or through an open wound exposed to contaminated seawater. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Mutation of the vvpM gene appeared to play major role in the prevention of IL-1β production due to V. vulnificus infection in macrophage. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

PREVENTION The prevention of V. vulnificus infections should be emphasized in public health practice. [academic.oup.com]

Grimes emphasizes that an ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure. [gcrl.usm.edu]

Prevention To prevent V. vulnificus infection, members of the public, in particular, people with impaired immune response or with underlying medical illnesses, should observe the following: Proper wound management Clean wounds immediately and cover properly [chp.gov.hk]