Vibrio vulnificus septicemia and leg ulcer.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacteria that can cause septicemia, wound infection, or a self-limiting diarrhea. This infection typically presents as an extremely virulent infection in patients with underlying liver disease 1 to 2 days after exposure. We report a case of V vulnificus septicemia, cellulitis, and leg ulceration in a patient who had symptoms develop after exposure to brackish water (19 days before admission) or after ingestion of raw oysters (10 days before admission). The longest incubation period previously reported is 6 days. The diagnosis was made from identification of the bacteria from blood cultures. No organisms were seen or grown in culture from the skin biopsy specimen, which showed epidermal necrosis and dermal and subcutaneous neutrophilic abscess. We review 13 cases of V vulnificus septicemia and leg ulcers and their approximate incubation time.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Patel, VJ; Gardner, E; Burton, CS

Published Date

  • May 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 46 / 5 Suppl

Start / End Page

  • S144 - S145

PubMed ID

  • 12004295

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0190-9622

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1067/mjd.2002.107778

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States