Bacteremic necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroup O56 in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Bacteremic necrotizing fasciitis caused by non-O1 Vibrio cholerae has rarely been reported. We describe a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the bilateral lower extremities in a 68-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus. Cultures of blood and the debrided tissue all yielded V. cholerae serogroup non-O1 (O56). Despite extensive radical debridement and antibiotic treatment with ceftazidime and doxycycline, the patient died on the 12th hospital day due to multiple organ failure. The present case is the first report of necrotizing fasciitis and bacteremia caused by V. cholerae serogroup O56.