Vibrio vulnificus infection: an important cause of septicemia in patients with cirrhosis.
Vibrio vulnificus, a virulent gram-negative organism, is a normal inhabitant of coastal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. Vibrio vulnificus infection has been recognized as a cause of fatal septicemia in chronically ill patients, particularly those with chronic liver disease. We report the case of a patient with chronic liver disease who had V vulnificus septicemia 2 days after eating raw oysters harvested in the Gulf Coast. Vibrio vulnificus septicemia should be suspected in all patients with underlying medical illnesses, particularly cirrhosis, who present with a febrile illness days after eating seafood or being exposed to saltwater. Physicians should advise their patients with cirrhosis and other chronic debilitating illnesses not to eat raw or undercooked seafood.
Vollberg
C M
CM
Division of Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, USA.
Herrera
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D057096:Shellfish Poisoning; D014733:Vibrio; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology