Non-cholera Vibrio infections

V vulnificus is the most virulent and can rapidly produce fatal septic shock in immunocompromised patients or those with underlying liver disease.

The diagnosis is based on blood, wound, and/or stool cultures.

Treatment consists of intravenous ceftazidime plus doxycycline for those with sepsis or severe systemic infection. Patients with necrotising skin/soft-tissue infection also require early aggressive debridement of the infected tissue. Localised skin/soft-tissue wound infections are managed with oral antibiotics and close observation.

Gastroenteritis syndromes are treated with rehydration. Oral antibiotics are indicated if diarrhoea persists >5 days.

Prognosis varies with the host's underlying comorbidity and the clinical presentation of the infection.

Non-cholera Vibrio infections are infections caused by Vibrio species other than V cholerae. Vibrio infections are most often associated with consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish, or traumatic exposure to sea or brackish water. They are characterised by diarrhoea and vomiting, sepsis, and/or skin/soft-tissue infections.