Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vul·nif·i·cus (vl-nf-ks)

n.

A bacterium capable of causing septicemia in individuals with an underlying chronic disease, especially hepatic disease, as well as causing wound infections, especially to persons who handle shellfish.

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Vibrio vulnificus CDC group EF-3 Bacteriology A bacterium of brackish or salt water, which may contaminate oysters, and be part of the normal marine flora; may cause wound infections and septicemia, possibly also gastroenteritis 2º to exposure to contaminated water or seafood Clinical V vulnificus is a virulent noncholera vibrio; it may rarely cause acute, self-limited gastroenteritis in those receiving antibiotics; major clinical forms: 1. compromised hosts–eg, Pts with cirrhosis, V vulnificus crosses the GI mucosa, passes into the circulation and causes fever, chills, hypotension and, in most Pts, metastatic skin lesions within 36 hrs, by erythema, hemorrhagic vesicles and bullae, necrotic ulcers; the condition is fatal in¹⁄₂; 2. in otherwise healthy persons, V vulnificus may cause intense cellulitis, necrotizing vasculitis and ulceration, which requires debridement Management Tetracycline; penicillin, chloramphenicol. Cf Vibrio cholerae.