Vibrio vulnificus infection

Scand J Infect Dis. 1989;21(6):721-6. doi: 10.3109/00365548909021703.

Abstract

We report 3 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections from Taiwan. Patient 1, who manifested symptoms of primary septicemia, died after 2 days. Patient 2, who had a wound infection and signs and symptoms of sepsis but negative blood cultures, responded to tobramycin and chloramphenicol plus surgical debridement, and recovered after 26 days of hospitalization. Patient 3 had secondary septicemia originating from a wound inflicted by a shrimp. Originally, the patient seemed to respond to ceftazidime and amikacin treatment along with surgical debridement, but subsequently died from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by several episodes of aspiration which occurred after initial clinical improvements. We conclude that, for patients with severe wounds and evidence of V. vulnificus infection, an appropriate, powerful antibiotic, such as one of the third generation cephalosporins should be used as initial therapy unless the nature of the infection indicates other treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Erythema / complications
  • Erythema / drug therapy
  • Erythema / pathology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / complications
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / pathology
  • Taiwan
  • Vibrio / isolation & purification
  • Vibrio Infections* / complications
  • Vibrio Infections* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Combinations