OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe cases of V. vulnificus infection and to review the literature, emphasizing salient aspects of infection for practicing physicians. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients aged 5 years and older who grew V. vulnificus from a blood or tissue culture from 2005 to 2011 at Tulane University Medical Center and Interim Louisiana Public Hospital. RESULTS: Six patients were identified over the study period. All were male and had a history of liver disease. Four developed primary septicemia and two developed wound infection with secondary septicemia. One received doxycycline as part of his antimicrobial therapy, which along with ceftazidime, is the recommended therapy for V. vulnficus infection. Four patients died despite aggressive care. CONCLUSIONS: V. vulnificus infection is an uncommon but often fatal cause of severe sepsis and wound infection. Physicians must recognize the clinical presentations of this infection in order to initiate early and appropriate therapy.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe cases of V. vulnificus infection and to review the literature, emphasizing salient aspects of infection for practicing physicians. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients aged 5 years and older who grew V. vulnificus from a blood or tissue culture from 2005 to 2011 at Tulane University Medical Center and Interim Louisiana Public Hospital. RESULTS: Six patients were identified over the study period. All were male and had a history of liver disease. Four developed primary septicemia and two developed wound infection with secondary septicemia. One received doxycycline as part of his antimicrobial therapy, which along with ceftazidime, is the recommended therapy for V. vulnficus infection. Four patients died despite aggressive care. CONCLUSIONS: V. vulnificus infection is an uncommon but often fatal cause of severe sepsis and wound infection. Physicians must recognize the clinical presentations of this infection in order to initiate early and appropriate therapy.